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Serum antioxidant activity in diabetes mellitus
A F Jones1, J W Winkles, P E Jennings
1Department of Biochemistry, Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
Diabetes Research (Edinburgh, Scotland)
|February 1, 1988
Summary
Diabetic patients show increased serum antioxidant proteins like caeruloplasmin and transferrin, potentially as a response to oxidative stress implicated in diabetic microangiopathy. These changes were observed regardless of retinopathy or glycemic control.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Endocrinology
- Oxidative Stress Research
Background:
- Oxidative damage from free radicals is linked to diabetic microangiopathy.
- Serum proteins like caeruloplasmin and transferrin possess antioxidant properties by managing iron, a catalyst for free radical reactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum antioxidant activity in diabetic individuals compared to controls.
- To determine if diabetic retinopathy, glycemic control, or diabetes duration influence these antioxidant levels.
Main Methods:
- Measured serum antioxidant activity, iron, transferrin, iron-binding capacity, caeruloplasmin (ferroxidase activity), and ferritin in 67 diabetics and 37 controls.
- Analyzed correlations with retinopathy, glycemic control, and diabetes duration.
Main Results:
- Diabetics had normal serum iron but increased transferrin and iron-binding capacity.
- Caeruloplasmin and ferritin levels were significantly elevated in both male and female diabetics compared to controls.
- No significant impact of retinopathy, glycemic control, or diabetes duration on these findings.
Conclusions:
- Diabetic serum exhibits increased concentrations of iron-binding and iron-oxidizing proteins.
- Elevated serum antioxidant activity in diabetics may represent a compensatory response to heightened oxidative stress.