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Plasma MDA and antioxidant vitamins in diabetic retinopathy
S Kumari1, S Panda, M Mangaraj
1Department of Biochemistry, SCB Medical College, Cuttack, 753007 Orissa India.
Abstract:
Hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in diabetes mellitus induce increased lipid peroxidation and peroxyl radical formation, an important mechanism in genesis of microangiopathy. We took up a study on oxidative stress, measured by plasma MDA and antioxidant vitamin status in type - 2 DM patients with and without retinopathy and compared them with a control non-diabetic group. Lipid peroxidation marker MDA was significantly elevated (p < 0.001) in both the diabetic groups whereas, serum vitamin E and vitamin C registered a significant fall (p<0.001) as compared to controls. Our correlation study revealed a significant positive association between plasma MDA with both fasting and 2hr post prandial plasma glucose (r=0.81, p < 0.001, r=0.92, p <0.001) suggesting the role of hyperglycemia in free radical production. Plasma MDA also depicted significant positive relation (p< 0.001) with all lipid parameters except serum HDLc pointing the role of dyslipidemia towards lipid peroxidation. Plasma MDA level was also found to be negatively correlated with both the vitamins (p<0.001, p<0.001) in the study group explaining their protective consumption in the oxidative process prevailing in diabetic retinopathy.
Insights
Diabetic patients show elevated oxidative stress markers like malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced antioxidant vitamins (C and E). Hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia significantly contribute to this oxidative stress, impacting diabetes complications.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Endocrinology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is associated with hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia.
- These metabolic derangements contribute to oxidative stress and microangiopathy.
- Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate oxidative stress markers in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients.
- To assess the relationship between oxidative stress, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and diabetic retinopathy.
- To evaluate the status of antioxidant vitamins C and E in diabetic patients.
Main Methods:
- Measured plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of lipid peroxidation.
- Assessed serum vitamin E and vitamin C levels.
- Compared these markers in type 2 DM patients (with and without retinopathy) and a non-diabetic control group.
- Correlated MDA levels with plasma glucose and lipid parameters.
Main Results:
- Plasma MDA was significantly elevated in both diabetic groups compared to controls (p < 0.001).
- Serum vitamin E and vitamin C levels were significantly decreased in diabetic patients (p < 0.001).
- Plasma MDA showed a strong positive correlation with fasting and postprandial glucose levels and most lipid parameters (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia are significant drivers of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in type 2 DM.
- Reduced antioxidant vitamins likely reflect their consumption in combating oxidative processes.
- These findings highlight the critical role of oxidative stress in diabetic microangiopathy and retinopathy.
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