Oxidative Status in Diabetic Patients

About author
^*Igboh, N. M, Nnamah, N.K., Onwubiko, D.,Chigbu, L.N.Emuchey, C.I., Onyesom, C.A,Agomuo, E.N., Maduagwuna ,C.A and Iheanacho,K,M.E 
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abia State University Uturu. Nigeria.
Department of chemical pathology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi. Nigeria.
Department of Medical Biochemistry Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences. Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abia State University Uturu. Nigeria
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences. Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria.

Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders of carbohydrate metabolism in which glucose is deficient therefore resulting to hyperglycemia. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus increases with age and approximately half of all cases occur in individuals older than 55 years.Patients with diabetes suffer from cardiovascular disease and wasting.One explanation for this high incidence of cardiovascular disease and wasting amongst diabetics invokes the molecular similarity of glucose and vitamin C which resulted in competition for membrane transport between glucose and ascorbic acid. It was based on these observations that  we assessed the association of some biochemical variables Aspartate transaminase  and lactate Dehydrogenase ( AST and LDH)  with indicators of oxidative damage such as  Vitamin C and Uric acid.  Our goals were to assess the antioxidant status of these subjects, ascertain whether Diabetes was associated with lower plasma concentrations of these key antioxidants.Sixty five diabetic patients and apparently twenty healthy subjects were studied. The Lactate Dehydrogenase,   Aspartate transaminase, Ascorbic acid and uric acid were determined using standard biochemical methods. The statistical analysis used was the one-way analysis of variance ANOVA .The result showed a significant increase in the levels of Aspartate transaminase  and lactate Dehydrogenase ( AST and LDH) in diabetic  patients on drugs and those not on drugs  compared to control(P <0.05).Though, this increase was  very obvious in  diabetic patients  on drugs. On the other hand, there was a remarkable increase in the level of uric acid in diabetic patients not on drugs.But when the level of Ascorbic acid was compared in diabetic patients on drugs and those not on drugs with healthy individuals, there was a remarkable reduction Ascorbic acid in diabetic patients on drugs compared to diabetic patients not on drugs. (P<0.05). From the result of the study we are recommending vitamin C supplements along side with the diabetic drugs to boost the immune system.
Key words: Diabetes, Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH),   Aspartate transaminase (AST),   Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and uric acid.