Determination of a redox compensation index and its relationships to glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus

The measurement of single parameters of oxidative stress in biological flui ds can often give results difficult to interpret as to the real involvement of oxidative processes in a given disease condition. In the present study we propose a novel integrated parameter, called "redox compensation index", obtained by combining the results of two established and convenient proced ures, i.e. the Fox-2 assay for plasma lipid hydroperoxides and the ferric r educing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay for total antioxidant potential of p lasma. These procedures were employed for the evaluation of oxidative stres s in a group of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, a condition in whic h oxidative processes are implicated in the development of complications. I n type 2 diabetic patients, plasma lipid hydroperoxides were directly corre lated with levels of glycated hemoglobin. On the other hand, a significant inverse correlation was observed between levels of glycated hemoglobin and redox compensation values. The data reported suggest that the redox compens ation index could represent a convenient parameter for the direct appraisal of oxidative status in clinical subjects, and are in support of the propos ed role of protein glycation in production of oxidative alterations during type 2 diabetes mellitus.