Evaluation of Non Enzymatic Status in Antioxidant Capital in Senegalese Type 2 Diabetics

Oxidative stress appears very early in the history of type 2 diabetes complications. It is associated to glucose oxidation but also to lipid peroxidation. This stress can be accentuated by a decrease in the antioxidant capacities in diabetics, especially if there are other comorbidities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of Senegalese type 2 diabetics and to identify the associated risk factors.

We conducted a prospective study in 40 persons with type 2 diabetes. Factors related to age, sex, BMI, and BP were determined. For biological parameters, we measured blood glucose at empty stomach, glycated haemoglobin, total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides and LDL, urea and creatinine, uric acid, albumin, total bilirubin, copper, and zinc.

The mean age of the population was 58±11.24 years with a predominance of subjects aged over 60 (52.5%). The sex ratio was 1.11 with 52.5% male. Antioxidant capital was reduced in 60% of patients, with a predominance of women (35%). This reduction was marked by hypoalbuminemia (32.5%), hypozincemia (22.5) and an increase in the Cu/Zn ratio (30%). A strong correlation was found between the Cu/Zn ratio and total cholesterol (r=0.911; p<0.0001) as well as LDL (r=1; p=0.0001). Dyslipidaemia was found to be the most associated comorbidity with decreased oxidative capacity with an RR of 1.4 (CI=0.79-2.35) for total hypercholesterolemia and an RR of 1.6 (CI=0.75-3.71) for hypertriglyceridemia.

The antioxidant capital is reduced in type 2 diabetics, especially in dyslipidaemia conditions. Hygienic dietary measures and supplementation with trace elements such as zinc should prevent the complications of oxidative stress in diabetics.