Diabetes and the associated complications: The role of antioxidants in diabetes therapy and care
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). Poorly managed diabetes can lead to complications affecting multiple organ systems. Antioxidants play a crucial role in reducing oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS),...
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| Published in: | Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy Vol. 181; p. 117641 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier Masson SAS
01-12-2024
Elsevier |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). Poorly managed diabetes can lead to complications affecting multiple organ systems. Antioxidants play a crucial role in reducing oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), primarily triggered by uncontrolled high blood sugar levels in diabetes. Antioxidants like vitamin C, E, selenium, and alpha-lipoic acid, when used as supplements, have shown promise in reducing oxidative stress markers and improving antioxidant status in laboratory and animal studies and diabetic patients. Antioxidant supplementation may help reduce the risk of diabetic complications such as neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, antioxidants also have anti-inflammatory properties, which could be beneficial in reducing inflammation associated with diabetes. Antioxidant supplementation has been shown to enhance endothelial function, insulin sensitivity, and glucose metabolism, thereby aiding in glycemic control and overall diabetic management. Combining antioxidants with certain medications may have therapeutic benefits, such as effectively neutralizing free radicals and enhancing the regulation of antioxidant defense systems. This review presents an update on diabetes, the sources of free radical generation, the body's natural defense mechanisms, the clinical evidence regarding using antioxidants in managing diabetic complications, and the potential new therapeutic approaches. Overall, antioxidant supplementation may offer some benefits in managing diabetic complications. However, further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms of action, determine the optimal supplementation, explore potential interactions with other medications, and conduct long-term studies to establish the possible use of antioxidants for optimal benefits in diabetes care.
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•Persistent hyperglycemia upregulates reactive oxygen species production, imparting intracellular oxidative stress in the pancreas and other insulin-sensitive tissues.•Mammalian physiology utilizes enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense mechanisms to curtail free radical generation.•The macrovascular and microvascular complications associated with diabetes mellitus may be alleviated by antioxidant supplementation.•Antioxidant supplementation may reduce the incidence of diabetic retinopathy, but the mechanisms for their delivery to the ocular cells of interest remain unresolved. |
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| Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 ObjectType-Review-3 content type line 23 |
| ISSN: | 0753-3322 1950-6007 1950-6007 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117641 |