Total antioxidant status in type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy

ABSTRACT

Background: Diabetes mellitus has emerged as one of the most common health hazard all over the world. Diabetic nephropathy is the most challenging long term complication of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus and microalbuminuria is the earliest marker of diabetic nephropathy. In diabetes, chronic hyperglycemia and deranged lipid profile lead to excess generation of free radicals. The increased oxidative stress plays a major role in pathogenesis of diabetic complications, including diabetic nephropathy. There are many naturally occurring antioxidant enzymes in our body. Diabetes has multiple effects on protein levels and activity of these antioxidant enzymes. This further augments the oxidative stress. There are many non-enzymatic antioxidants in our body which include vitamins A, C, E and trace minerals like copper, zinc, manganese and selenium.Methods: The study was done on a total of 150 subjects. Group A comprised of 60 Type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy, Group B comprised of 60 Type 2 diabetic patients without diabetic nephropathy and Group C comprised 30 healthy controls. Total antioxidant status, microalbuminuria and glycosylated haemoglobin were measured.Results: In present study, authors found that total antioxidant status is drastically reduced in all diabetic patients, and it was found to be further low in patients with diabetic nephropathy. This decrease was found to be directly proportional to the degree of diabetic nephropathy, as measured by the levels of microalbuminuria.Conclusions: Timely institution of antioxidant supplementation therapy may emerge as a promising measure in delaying the onset and progression of diabetic complications, especially diabetic nephropathy.