Total antioxidant status in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients in Ghana.

Total antioxidant status (TAS) was measured in thirty-five (35) non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients aged 40 to 65 (mean +/- SE 49.6 +/- 1.0) years. Patients were on diet and oral hypoglycaemic drug (Daonil) therapy with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) >7.8mmol/l. Similar measurements were carried out in thirty-four apparently healthy individuals within the same age range (mean + SE 46.3 +/- 1.1 years) and FPG <6.4 mmol/L. FPG was measured by glucose oxidase method and TAS by colorimetric method. Comparing the two groups, TAS was significantly reduced in the NIDDM patients (p<0.001). An inverse correlation between FPG and TAS suggests the existence of lower antioxidant defence in uncontrolled NIDDM. A good control of FPG accompanied with antioxidant therapy could help reduce free radical activity and minimise complications associated with increased free radical activity in diabetic patients.