Effect of Antioxidant Supplementation on Total Antioxidant Status in Indian Children with Type 1 Diabetes

Hyperglycemia results in the overproduction of free oxygen radicals that impair the endogenous antioxidant defenses. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the effect of 3 months of antioxidant supplementation in the form of foods rich in micronutrients with pharmacological supplement on total antioxidant status of Indian children with type 1 diabetes. Ninety children with diabetes (mean age 11.5 ± 3.6 yrs, 37 boys) were randomly allocated to three groups: Group 1 (n = 31) = DM controls; Group 2 (n = 30) = multimicronutrient syrup; and Group 3 (n = 29) = dietary supplements (nine snack recipes rich in micronutrients). They received intervention for 3 months. Healthy controls were enrolled from local schools. Fasting blood was tested for total antioxidant status (TAS) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C). Children with diabetes had lower TAS (0.70 ± 0.2 vs. 1 ± 0.24 mmol/l, p = .0001) compared to healthy controls. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were similar at baseline for all groups of diabetic children. Group 1 showed significant deterioration in TAS at endline (0.72 ± 0.16 vs. 0.60 ± 0.17 mmol/l, p = .008). Increase in TAS recorded in Group 2 was from 0.66 ± 0.21 to 0.70 ± 0.16 mmol/l and in Group 3 was from 0.68 to 0.73 mmol/l. There was a significant difference between Group 1 and Group 3 for percentage change in TAS (-13% vs. 16%, p = .035). Postsupplementation there was an increase in TAS values in children with diabetes, but they were still lower than in healthy controls. Indian diabetic children have compromised antioxidant status, which may be improved by incorporation of multimicronutrient-rich recipes in their diets.