[Usefulness of antioxidant vitamin supplementation in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus type I].
BACKGROUND
Diabetes type I is caused by immune-mediated destruction of the b-cells. During the immune response macrophages release free oxygen radicals and cytokines which damage DNA. Ascorbic acid, b-carotene, a-tocopherol and nicotinamide act as antioxidants (free radical scavengers).


OBJECTIVE
Comparative analysis of diabetes mellitus clinical course in the first year after diagnosis with and without antioxidative vitamin supplementation.


METHODS
40 children and adolescents with newly-diagnosed diabetes type I treated with: group A (n=13) n insulin + diet, group B (n=14) n additional vitamins A+E, C, group C (n=13) n additional vitamins A+E, C, PP.


RESULTS
The remission was observed in n=13 (92.8%) children in group B, in n=6 (46.1%) in group C and only in 2 (15.4%) in group A after 3-4 months. After 6-7 months the remission was obtained in 10 patients (71.5%) in group B, in 6 (46.1%) - in group C and in 4 (30.8%) - in group A. After one year observation 6 (42.5%) patients in group B had remission, 4 (30.7%) in group C and 2 (15.4%) - in group A. Daily insulin demand was similar after diagnosis, after 3-4 months it was more reduced in group B (x - 0.28 u./kg/d, SD n 0.23) vs. x - 0.40 u./kg/d SD n 0.24 (group C) and vs., x - 0.5 u./kg/d - (group A). The insulin demand was augmented in the following months but all the time it was lower in the group supplemented by vitamins A, E, C. The glycaemic control and the values of lipids, thiobarbituric and reactive substances, group-SH of glutathione and vitamin C were similar in analysed groups in simultaneous periods.


CONCLUSIONS
Supplementation with antioxidant vitamins in newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus type I leads to more frequent remissions and reduced insulin demand, particularly in the first months of diabetes duration.
Krawczuk-Rybak
M
M
II Klinika Chorób Dzieci AM, 15-274 Białystok.
Peczyńska
J
J
Urban
M
M