Markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases of childhood. Oxidative stress (OS) is viewed not only as one of the triggers of diabetic complications but as an important pathophysiological step in the development of DM1. In patients with DM1, markers of OS and antioxidant defense (AOD) may be changed, which is a valuable diagnostic criterion.

Aim of the study: to analyze markers of OS and AOD in children with adequately controlled DM1, including the markers’ association with the presence or absence of diabetic complications.

Materials and methods. The study included 58 children: 34 patients with DM1 (study group) and 24 apparently healthy children (control group). The study group was divided into two subgroups: patients with diabetic complications (retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy) were included into subgroup 1 (14 children), while subgroup 2 (20 children) consisted of participants without complications. All children had their blood sampled to assess the following OS markers: 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG; pg/ml); 8-isoprostane (8 IS; pg/ml); malonic dialdehyde (MDA; ng/ml); advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPx10; ng/ml), and AOD markers, glutathione peroxidase (GPX1; ng/ml) and superoxide dismutase (SOD3x50; pg/ml). Statistical analysis included the Mann–Whitney U-test and the Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results. In children with DM1, some OS markers were elevated compared to apparently healthy children. MDA and AOPPx10 were not increased. The AOD markers were decreased. In patients with diabetic complications (subgroup 1), OS markers were significantly higher and AOD markers were significantly lower than in patients without diabetic complications (subgroup 2).

Conclusion. Manifestations of OS and decreased AOD were found in children with DM1. These changes were significantly more pronounced in patients with diabetic complications.