ABSTRACT
Considerable evidence indicates that increased oxidative stress and induction of apoptosis signaled through the Fas pathway appear to play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes. The present study aimed to detect the soluble Fas [sFas] as apoptotic marker and the total antioxidant capacity [TAC] in type 1 diabetes [T1D] and high-risk group children and whether it is altered by antioxidant vitamin supplement. Forty-five participants were included in the study and divided into three groups: group 1 comprised 15 children with new onset diabetes; group 2 included 15 diabetic children with long-standing diabetes; and group 3 comprised 15 individuals of patient's relatives. Serum levels of sFas and TAC were measured and compared between groups before and after antioxidant vitamin supplementation. The highest level of sFas was found in group 2 [2196.7 +/- 579 pg/ml], however, with no statistical significance; after vitamins supplementation, its level showed significant decrease to reach 1156.6 +/- 460.8 pg/ml [P = 0.01]. Similar tendency of serum Fas decrease was observed in the group of relatives after vitamins supplementation [2088.3 +/- 396.5 vs. 1426.7 +/- 140.9, P < 0.01]. TAC was significantly lower in group 2 than in the other two groups, and it showed a significant increase after vitamin intake [0.29 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.40 +/- 0.05 micromol/l, P < 0.05]. One month of treatment with antioxidants vitamins supplement increased the antioxidant activity in long-standing T1D children and resulted in significant reduction in sFas level, suggesting the importance of this therapeutics in reducing apoptosis changes in children with T1D