Levels of antioxidant vitamins in newly diagnosed cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus in South Eastern Nigeria

Free radicals have important roles in pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. It has been well documented that there is a link between oxidative stress and secondary complications of diabetes mellitus. However, humans are well endowed with antioxidant defences, primarily by free radical scavengers, such as Vitamins A, C, E and some trace elements. Deficiencies of these micronutrients may increase susceptibility to this disease and the associated complications. In this study, serum antioxidant vitamins (Vitamins A, C and E) were estimated in 50 Type 2 diabetic patients using standard procedures, and the results obtained were compared with those of apparently healthy, non-diabetic subjects of comparable age and social status. Serum glucose level of the diabetic subjects (11.47 ± 1.67 mmol/L) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the value obtained for the non-diabetic subjects (4.16 ± 0.46 mmol/L). Vitamin A (14.38 ± 7.59 µg/L), C (0.66 ± 0.17 mg/dl) and E (0.51 ± 0.19 mg/dl) concentrations were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in diabetic patients relative to the levels of Vitamin A (44.12 ± 11.79 µg/L), C (0.97 ± 0.23 mg/dl) and E (0.68 ± 0.13 mg/dl) in control subjects. About 30, 36 and 12% of the diabetic subjects had severe Vitamins A, C and E deficiencies, respectively. These deficiencies may be contributing factor to the complications of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The outcome of the inclusion of vitamin A, C and E supplements in the therapeutic regimen for Type 2 diabetics in Nigeria should be studied so that health care providers could be advised.   Key words: Nigerians, antioxidants, vitamins, diabetics.