Oxidant stress, anti-oxidants and nitric oxide in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

In patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) there is believed to be an imbalance between oxidants and anti-oxidants. This is likely to lead to endothelial dysfunction, which may predispose patients to the development of atherosclerosis and target organ damage. Here we present evidence that in patients with NIDDM, the levels of lipid peroxides are high, with a simultaneous decrease in those of superoxide dismutase, vitamin E, glutathione peroxidase and reductase and nitric oxide. Hence efforts to enhance nitric oxide and restore antioxidants to normal levels and decrease lipid peroxidation process may be of benefit in NIDDM.