COMPARATIVE STUDY ON MDA, SOD AND HbA1c LEVELS IN PATIENTS OF TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS WITH RETINOPATHY AND WITHOUT RETINOPATHY

Background: Diabetes mellitus comprises a group of metabolic disorders that share the common phenotype of hyperglycemia, association with the biochemical alteration of glucose and lipid peroxidation. Abnormalities in metabolism, including elevated polyol pathway, increased non-enzymatic glycation, accumulation of AGEs, uncontrolled oxidative stress, protein kinase C activity (PKC) and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) result from glucose dysmetabolism and evidently also contribute to the development of retinopathy. The aim of this study was to analyze and correlate determine the levels of Malondialdehyde and Superoxide dismutase in patients of Type 2 diabetes mellitus with and without retinopathy. Materials and Methods: The study population comprised of 54 type 2 diabetics with retinopathy and 54 type 2 diabetics without retinopathy in the age group of 35-74 years. HbA1c, MDA, and SOD were assayed for both subjects. Results were analyzed carried out by using SPSS 16.0 version (Chicago, Inc., USA). Results: Serum MDA levels were highly significant increased in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Retinopathy in comparison to without Retinopathy (4.25±1.03 µmol/l vs 2.12±1.55 µmol/l and   p<0.0001*). SOD; which acts as an antioxidant was highly significant decrease in diabetic retinopathy, in comparison to without Retinopathy (0.53±0.07 U/mg protein/min vs 0.91±0.10 U/mg protein/min and p<0.0001*). HbA1c, which acts as a biomarker of diabetes was significant higher diabetic retinopathy in comparison to without Retinopathy (9.28±2.31% vs 7.95±1.77 % and p < 0.001). Conclusion: The present study indicates that the MDA and HbA1c level increase while there is a decrease SOD level, leading to oxidative stress in diabetic complications. Oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus, increasing over time may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy that should be considered in further research