Appraisal of oxidative stress markers and antioxidant status in diabetic neuropathy

Introduction: Oxidative stress resulting from enhanced free has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy. This study was conducted to evaluate oxidative stress and antioxidant balance in dia betic neuropathy and to correlate this with glycemic control. diabetic neuropathy and thirty age matched healthy controls were included in the study. Fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) were estimated to a respectively. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed as a marker of lipid peroxidation and hence oxidative stress. Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase levels were assessed for antioxidant sta diabetic neuropathy compared to healthy control was statistically highly significant (p<0.000). Significant positive correlation was found between serum MDA levels and hba1c (r = 0.276, p < 0.0001) in patients with diab There was statistically significant reduction in the Glutathione peroxidase levels. Further, MDA levels were inversely correlated with GPx (r = - 0.70, p < 0.0001) levels. pa tients suffering from diabetic neuropathy and is inversely related to glycemic control. This may be due to depressed antioxidant enzyme levels and may also be responsible for further depletion of antioxidant enzyme GPx. This worsens the oxidative stress an d creates a vicious cycle of imbalance of free radical generation and deficit of antioxidant status in these patients which may lead to nervous system damage causing diabetic neuropathy. A good glycemic control is