ROLE OF VITAMIN C IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes Mellitus is influenced by genetic and environmental factors and it is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, altered insulin secretion, and insulin resistance. Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient with potent antioxidant properties and it can protect important biomolecules from oxidation by participating in oxidation-reduction reactions and it is readily oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid, which in turn is reduced back to ascorbate. In T2DM patients Vitamin C levels are usually low as blood glucose may compete with vitamin C for uptake into cells due to its structural similarity to the oxidised form, and increased oxidative stress may deplete antioxidant stores.
 MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective, double-blinded, 12-week study. A total of 100 T2DM patients were included in the study and were divided randomly in to 2 groups of 50 each (study group and placebo group). Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was determined in EDTA blood by standard methods. Fasting glucose was measured in blood collected in fluoride oxalate tubes. The vitamin C concentration of the processed samples was determined. Drug (Vitamin C and Placebo) was issued to patients for duration of thirty days at a time. Patients were asked to bring the unused drugs and container during the follow-up. All patients were maintained on their usual dietary pattern while limiting their consumption of vitamin C-rich foods throughout the study.
 RESULTS: Mean age in Vitamin C group was 44.23 ± 6.58 while in placebo group was 43.75 ± 5.54. There were 31 male and 19 female in Vitamin C group. In Placebo group male and female were 30 and 20respectively. No statistical significance was observed in both the group. At 12 weeks fasting blood sugar levels were decreased by -21.45 ± 3.78 in patients receiving Vitamin C while in placebo group reduction was -6.41± 2.87. Post meal blood sugar was reduced by -22.77 ± 2.45 in vitamin C group while in placebo it was -7.44± 3.78.
 CONCLUSION: Supplementation of Vitamin C to T2DM patients can effectively reduce the blood glucose levels and HbA1C levels and regular assessment of Vitamin C levels are necessary in T2DM patients.