Effects of antioxidants on lipid peroxidation and beta-cell function in patients with newly detected insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Sixty-one patients with newly detected insulindependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and 16 normal subjects were examined. Levels of glycemia, HbAlc, basal and stimulated C- peptide, insulin requirement, and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were assessed before and 3, 6, and 12 months after the follow-up was started. Activation of lipid peroxidation detected as early as at the debut of the disease permitted the authors to propose antioxidants, alfa-tocopherol acetate and nicotinamide, among other agents, for the correction of the disorders detected. The best results characterizing the clinical course, hormonal and metabolic markers, and function of the intact beta-cells in patients with newly detected IDDM were observed in the group of patients treated with insulin, nicotinamide, and vitamin E. The number of remissions was reliably higher in this group of patients in comparison with other groups: complete remission was attained in 33%, partial in 67% of patients; stimulated C-peptide level 6 months after treatment (0.41 ± 0.06 nmol/liter) was reliably (p < 0.01) higher than in group IV (0.14 ± 0.02 nmol/liter). In group III the minimal levels of LPO products (hydroperoxides and malonic dialdehyde) and normalization of red cell membrane resistance were observed, as well as the highest activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathion peroxidase.