title: Oxidative stress in preretinopathic diabetes subjects and antioxidants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study assessed the effect of a systemic oral treatment with antioxidants (AOs) in preretinopathic diabetes (PRD) patients, through the evaluation of oxidative stress in plasma and changes in the full-field electroretinogram (ERG).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two PRD subjects with good metabolic control were recruited. Patients were randomized in two groups, one of which received oral AO treatment with α-lipoic acid at 400 mg/day in association with genistein and vitamins, whereas the other group received a placebo. Free radicals and the AO barrier were evaluated in plasma with the Free Radical Analytical System 4 instrument (H&D srl, Parma, Italy), and the same day the electrophysiological response was measured by ERG. These analyses were performed at enrollment and after 30 days of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant increases of plasma AO levels and ERG oscillatory potential values were observed in the group treated with AO, but not in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of this preliminary study suggest that an oral treatment with AOs in PRD subjects may have a protective effect on retinal cells, as detected by ERG analysis, through the strengthening of the plasma AO barrier.
authors: Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. marcella.nebbioso@uniroma1.it
authors: Marcella
authors: M
authors: Nebbioso
authors: Matteo
authors: M
authors: Federici
authors: Dario
authors: D
authors: Rusciano
authors: Mariasilvia
authors: M
authors: Evangelista
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Pescosolido
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D008063:Thioctic Acid