title: [Antioxidants and diabetes mellitus: review of the evidence].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An increase in the oxidative stress and a decrease in the antioxidant levels have been described in diabetic patients, that have been related with the etiopathogenesis of diabetes and its chronic complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a non-systematic review to evaluate the relationship between oxidative stress and diabetes, and the possible effects of antioxidants in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervention studies including different antioxidants have not demonstrated any beneficial effect on cardiovascular and global morbimortality in different populations, including diabetic patients. Neither of these studies has demonstrated a beneficial effect of antioxidant supplementation on the prevention of diabetes. According to these studies, these substances can decrease lipid peroxidation, LDL-cholesterol particles oxidation and improve endothelial function and endothelial-dependent vasodilatation, without significant improvement in the metabolic control of these patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current evidence does not support the use of high doses of antioxidants on the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Nutrición, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España. mcuerda.hgugm@salud.madrid.org
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cuerda
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Luengo
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Valero
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vidal
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Burgos
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Calvo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martínez
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D058065:Diabetic Cardiomyopathies / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D014815:Vitamins; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid