A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SERUM ASCORBATE BETWEEN NEWLY DIAGNOSED TYPE 2 DIABETICS AND LONG STANDING TYPE 2 DIABETICS ON TREATMENT

Introduction: diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder prevalent worldwide . Oxidative stress has been the Cause of complications which arises gradually due to prolonged hyperglycemia. Vitamin c being a potent antioxidant is well consumed in diabetes mellitus. Methods: Serum samples of diabetes mellitus type 2 patients from jorhat medical college of Assam were tested to estimate ascorbate levels using spectrophotometer. Whole blood samples were tested to estimate glycated hemoglobin levels in d-10 biorad hplc machine. A total of 58 patients and equal numbers of age and sex matched apparently healthy controls were included. Results: significantly lower levels of ascorbate were recorded in diabetic cases compared to controls. Newly diagnosed cases had lesser serum ascorbate levels compared to patients who were on treatment with oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin. Conclusion: the study was done to look for any alteration in serum ascorbic acid levels in diabetes mellitus patients. Patients newly diagnosed had lesser vitamin c levels compared to patients already on medications. It is found that vitamin c is significantly lower in diabetic patients with or without medications compared to healthy controls.