Abstract

ANTIOXIDANT EFFECT OF VITAMIN C ON TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS ALONG WITH TWO DIFFERENT ORAL HYPOGLYCEMIC AGENTS FOR SMOOTH GLYCEMIC CONTROL

ABSTRACT

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global epidemic with major challenge to healthcare systems. T2DM patients have increase the level of vitamin C’s primary oxidation product, dehydroascorbate may be due to inadequate intracellular delivery of vitamin C because it’s entry into cells depends on insulin. Chronic vitamin C deficiency in T2DM patients can lead to a range of complications. Supplementation with antioxidants as promising complementary treatment can exert beneficial effects. Objective: To investigate if antioxidant effect of vitamin C in combination with two different oral hypoglycemic agents in T2DM patients may produce smooth glycemic control or not. Subject/Methods: 93 T2DM patients participated in this randomized open label controlled study at out-patient department centre of government headquarters hospital, Ootacamund, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India. Enrolled patients were randomised in to six groups. Control groups received glibanclamide, metformin and combination of these two drugs, whereas in intervention groups viz; glibanclamide, metformin and combination of two drugs, received vitamin C tablet (500mg/day) for a period of three months. Random blood sugar were measured and simultaneously fasting blood samples were analysed for level of HbA1C, ascorbic acid, TBAR, SOD, catalase, glutathione estimation by using specific assay methods. Results: 93 T2DM patients participated in this randomized open label controlled study, were randomized into two groups; control (n=47) and intervention (n=46). Control group received glibenclamide/metformin/glibenclamide-metformin combination. Intervention group received glibenclamide/metformin/glibenclamide-metformin combination along with vitamin C (500mg/day) for three months. Blood samples were analyzed by using specific assay methods. Mean serum levels of superoxide dismutase and ascorbic acid were significantly increased with significant decrease of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and HbA1C in intervention group when compared to control group. Conclusion: Our result shows that vitamin C supplementation with oral hypoglycemic agents decreases oxidative stress & improves glycemic control, also has potential implications for the prevention of further complications in T2DM patients.

Keywords: T2DM, vitamin C, glibenclamide, metformin.