Measurement feasability of advanced glycated end-products from skin samples after antioxidant vitamin supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility of measuring advanced glycated end-products (AGEs)from skin samples and to evaluate the effects of a combination of vitamins E and C on measures of glycemic control and AGEs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients with type 2 diabetes from a Family Medicine clinic were randomly assigned to receive a daily dietary supplement containing either a combination of 400 mg of vitamin E and 500 mg of vitamin C or matching placebo for a period of one year. AGEs were measured from skin samples taken from the buttock.


RESULTS
Nineteen subjects completed this one-year pilot study. There were no major problems found in measuring AGEs from skin samples taken from the butttock. Neither the treatment or placebo group had significant changes in glycemic control, protein glycosylation or AGEs.


CONCLUSIONS
Skin samples taken from the buttock area may be an appropriate site for the determination of AGE levels as this procedure appeared to be well-tolerated. Daily vitamin E and C supplementation did not improve measures of glycemic control or AGE levels in this small sample of patients with type 2 diabetes. Because antioxidant vitamins are inexpensive and free of side effects, additional research using a variety of antioxidant vitamin combinations and dosing regimens is needed.
Konen
J C
JC
Department of Family Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC 28232, USA. jkonen@carolinas.org
Summerson
J H
JH
Kirk
J K
JK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000178:diet therapy*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001786:Blood Glucose; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid