An imbalance in the antioxidant
protective mechanism
leading to oxidative stress has
been shown in complicated
non-insulin dependent diabetes
(NIDDM) cases. This
work has been conducted to
assess the antioxidant activity
in IGT which has received
much attention as a risk
factor for NIDDM. The lipid
peroxide malondialdebyde
• (MDA), a marker of free
oxygen radical activity along
with blood reduced glutathione
and plasma selenium and
vitamins C and E were measured
in 27 cases with TOT. In
addition, 2 age, sex and body
mass index-matched groups
were studied. They were 20
NIDDM eases with no detectable
complications and 20
healthy normal controls with
normal oral glucose tolerance.
The 4 tested antioxidants were
significantly decreased (p<
0.001) in MT and NIDDM
subjects compared to control.
Meanwhile, plasma MDA was
significantly increased (p<
0.001) in each of IGT and
NIDDM groups versus control.
Changes were more evident in
NIDDM cases but were unrelated
to the state of glycemic
control (fasting blood sugar
and HbAlc) but can be associated
partially to the duration
of diabetes. In conclusion,
the antioxidant status is poor IGT as well as early NIDDM
cases. Antioxidant therapy
worths trial in future studies
as it might possibly delay
progression of IGT to frank
diabetes.