Correlates of diabetes markers with erythrocytic enzymes decomposing reactive oxygen species.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase were assayed in the erythrocytes of a diabetic population on various treatment regimens (diet, oral therapy, and insulin), to investigate any relationships between their activities and diabetes markers (serum glucose, lipids, and fructosamine, as well as glycated haemoglobin). In the group of patients as a whole, there was significant negative correlation of SOD, but not of the other two enzymes with glycated haemoglobin and fructosamine. Specifically, there was a lower activity of the enzyme in the poorly-controlled patients. It is concluded that SOD in particular is potentially an additional marker for long-term diabetic pathophysiology.