A discussion of diabetes, antioxidants and oxidative stress

Oxidative stress seems to have a significant role in the development of both forms of diabetes mellitus, according to a growing body of data from both potential therapeutic investigations. In diabetes, glucose oxidation, non-enzymatic glycation of proteins, and subsequent oxidative breakdown of fasting blood glucose proteins produce a disproportionate amount of free radicals. Damage to cellular organelles and processes, oxidative stress, and the development of metabolic syndrome may all result from abnormally high amounts of free radicals and a concurrent decrease in antioxidant defense systems. Those oxidative stress effects may contribute to the growth of diabetic complications. This review discusses changes in oxidative stress biomarkers such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione levels, vitamin supplements, lipid peroxidation, nitrite intensity, non-enzymatic glycosylated proteins, and hyperglycemia in diabetes, as well as their implications. The impacts of various conventional and alternative medicines upon those biomarkers are investigated in vivo. In order to broaden therapeutic approaches, more research is needed on the link involving free radicals, diabetes, and its complications, as well as the processes through which enhanced oxidative stress promotes the development of diabetic problems.