Antioxidant Vitamins and Trace Elements Status of Diabetics in Sokoto, Nigeria

Diabetes mellitus is associated with elevated oxidative stress via increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and decline in antioxidant defences. Increased oxidative stress is thought to play a role in the development of diabetic complications. In the current study, vitamins A, C, and E, chromium, manganese and zinc levels were estimated in 54 diabetics attending the outpatient clinic of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria and the results compared with those of apparently healthy non-diabetic volunteers of comparable age and social status. Serum levels of vitamin A,C, and E were 23.0 ± 6.5 ìg/dl, 15.1 ± 8.3 ìmol/l, 7.3 ± 4.0 ìmol/l and 51.7 ± 14.1 ìg/dl, 42.1 ± 20.3 ìmol/l and 30.5 ± 8.4 ìmol/l in diabetics and non - diabetic subjects respectively. There was significantly (P< 0.05) decreased levels of antioxidant vitamins in diabetics. The serum levels of Cr (2.6 ± 1.2mg/l), Mn (8.2 ± 2.8mg/l) and Zn(9.4 ± 6.9mg/l) were significantly (P< 0.05) low in diabetics. Most (82%) of the diabetics have deficient serum levels of the vitamins and minerals. The results suggest that diabetics in the study area have low serum levels of antioxidant vitamins and trace elements, an indication that the diabetics are predisposed to increased oxidative onslaught.