The impact of insulin pump therapy to oxidative stress in patients with diabetic nephropathy

Background: The oxidative stress resulting from increased production of ROS plays a crucial role in the development of diabetic complications. We aim to explore the relationships between oxidative stress, diabetic nephropathy (DN) and short-term insulin pump intensive therapy (insulin therapy). Methods: Levels of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) were estimated before and after 2 weeks of insulin therapy in normal group (NC) and type 2 diabetic (DM) with normal albuminuria (NA), microalbuminuria (MA) and clinical albuminuria (CA). Results: In DM group, levels of 8-OHdG and 3-NT were higher than those in NC group (P < 0.05); GSH and SOD were lower (P < 0.05). And their levels changed with urine albumin-creatinine ratio (P < 0.05). After insulin therapy, these derangements were significantly ameliorated and the changes in NA and MA groups were more significant than CA group (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed glycated hemoglobin, the course of disease, the HOME-IR and fasting plasma glucose were positively correlated with 8-OHdG and 3-NT, but negatively correlated with GSH and SOD. Conclusions: The oxidative stress gradually increased with the magnitude of DN, and insulin pump intensive therapy can significantly ameliorate the derangements in the early stage of DN.