Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 23, 2026

Cryopreservation and Bioenergetic Evaluation of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Published on: October 20, 2023
Antioxidant systems in polymorphonuclear leucocytes of Type 2 diabetes mellitus
J Muchová1, A Liptáková, Z Országhová
1Department of Medical Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia.
Aims:
To examine the effect of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) on enzymes of importance for oxygen-dependent killing of microorganisms by leucocytes.
Methods:
Twenty patients with Type 2 DM and 20 nondiabetic controls provided blood samples for analysis.
Results:
The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was lower by 41% in polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) from patients with Type 2 DM than in controls (3.42+/-0.32 U/mg of protein vs. 5.79+/-0.71 U/mg of protein, P<0.005). Glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities of Type 2 DM patients were 73.04% and 81.12% of control values (0.84+/-0.07 nkat/mg of protein vs. 1.15+/-0.10 nkat/mg of protein, P<0.003, and 2.02+/-0.12 nkat/mg of protein vs. 2.49+/-0.16 nkat/mg of protein, P < 0.023, respectively). The catalase activity showed no significant difference. A significant increase (141.37% of control) in the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive products was observed (9.91+/-0.78 miromol/l vs. 7.01+/-0.47 micromol/l, P<0.003). A positive correlation between thiobarbituric acid reactive products and glucose, glycated haemoglobin and fructosamine in the serum of diabetic patients was observed.
Conclusion:
These findings may explain some of the mechanisms underlying the increased susceptibility to certain infection in patients with Type 2 DM.
Related Concept Videos
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Type II Diabetes I: Introduction
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in the...
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
