In diabetes, persistent hyperglycemia results in increased production of free radicals especially oxygen free radicals, which can cause cell destruction and tissue injury resulting in cell dysfunction. With the premise that oxidative stress is a major cause of diabetic complications, we conducted a controlled laboratory based investigation on level of lipid peroxide levels in the serum of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic patients attending Muhimbili National Hospital. From our clinical data it was observed that majority of the patients had higher waist to hip ration and body mass index, which suggests that the patients were either overweight or obese. The enrolled diabetic patients had higher lipid peroxide levels than controls and also Type 2 patients had higher lipid peroxide levels than Type 1 patients. Moreover, patients with known complications had higher lipid peroxide levels than patients without complications. The lipid peroxide levels in the diabetic patients were significantly different from that of the control subjects enrolled in the study. A majority of the diabetic patients had a poorly controlled blood sugar. Our finding hints that despite the fact that diabetic patients in our clinic are on follow up, they are at a risk of developing coronary heart diseases, neuropathy and other secondary diabetic complications.
Keywords: Diabetes; Diabetic complications; Lipid peroxidation; Oxidative stress.