RESUMO
Diabetes mellitus is a stressful condition in which the increased production of free radicals impairs the generation of naturally occurring antioxidants like vitamins and carotenoids. The present study deals with the changes in serum fl'-carotene in type 2 diabetes mellitus, as modulated by glycemic control and oxidative stress. Multiple biochemical parameters were obtained from plasma of 57 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [25 males and 32 females], on oral hypoglycemic with a disease duration of 1- 15 years and 37 healthy normal subject s of matching age and sex to serve as controls. The biochemical parameters measured in the present study included the glycated Hb [HbAlc], serum lipids [total cholesterol TC, triglycerides TG, high and low density lipoprotein cholesterols, HDL-C and LDL-C], lipid peroxides and serum beta-carotene. Results revealed a marked reduction of beta-carotene in the diabetics in a pattern proportional to that of the glycemic control, dyslipidemia and oxidative stress. Possible causes, mechanisms and suggestions underlining these changes are discussed