Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme status in type 2 diabetic patients.
BACKGROUND
This study was conducted to investigate the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients.


METHODS
Thirty-four non-insulin dependent diabetic patients were selected for this study and they were initially treated with antidiabetic drugs alone for one month. This was followed by supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids (1,080 mg of EPA and 720 mg of DHA per day) along with the antidiabetic drugs for a period of two months.


RESULTS
No change in glycaemic control was observed in diabetic patients at the end of two months of omega-3 fatty acids therapy along with antidiabetic drugs. The combined treatment significantly reduced serum triglycerides (2.07 +/- 0.94 mmol/l, before combined therapy vs 1.54 +/- 0.49 mmol/l after combined therapy, P<0.05) and increased HDL-cholesterol levels (0.93 +/- 0.099 mmol/l, before combined therapy vs 1.04 +/- 0.098 mmol/l after therapy, P<0.01). The raised lipid peroxide levels (5.14 +/- 0.61 micromol MDA/l in controls vs 6.36 +/- 1.56 micromol MDA/l in diabetic patients, P<0.001) were significantly decreased in these patients after the combined therapy (6.36 +/- 1.56 micromol MDA/l, before combined therapy vs 5.16 +/- 0.7 micromol MDA/l, after combined therapy, P<0.01). Among the erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes, the Glutathione peroxidase activity was increased (32.5 +/- 9.9 U/g Hb/min, before combined therapy vs 42.25 +/- 4.6 U/g Hb/min, after combined therapy, P<0.01) while no change was observed in Catalase (99.7 +/- 30.4 KU/g Hb before combined therapy vs 85.35 +/- 23.41 KU/g Hb, after combined therapy) and Superoxide dismutase activities (2.6 +/- 1.04 U/mg Hb/min, before therapy vs 3.01 +/- 1.08 U/mg Hb/min, after combined therapy) after the 2 months of combined treatment with antidiabetic agents and omega-3 fatty acids.


CONCLUSIONS
Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids has beneficial effects on serum triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes, which may lead to decreased rate of occurrence of vascular complications in diabetes.
Kesavulu
M M
MM
Department of Biochemistry, Sri Venkateswara University Tirupati, 517502, India.
Kameswararao
B
B
Apparao
Ch
Ch
Kumar
E G T V
EG
Harinarayan
C V
CV
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001645:Biguanides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000097:blood*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood*; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000032:analysis
D000975:Antioxidants; D001645:Biguanides; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002374:Catalase; D002784:Cholesterol; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances