Activities of antioxidant scavenger enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) in erythrocytes in adult women with and without type II diabetes

It is widely believed that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of type II diabetes. The present study was undertaken to examine the functioning of two antioxidant scavenger enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), in erythrocytes in a population of healthy aging adult women compared with a similar population with type II diabetes. Blood samples were examined from 42 female adult healthy subjects at different ages and from 59 female patients with type II diabetes. A significant increase in SOD activities was correlated with aging in erythrocytes of the healthy control subjects (r = .550, P = .001); however, this correlation was not found in subjects with type II diabetes (r = .250, P < .07). A trend showing a reduction in glutathione peroxidase activities was demonstrated with aging (r = -.331, P = .228); however, this trend was not found in diabetic subjects (r = .031, P < .820). The results indicate a possible imbalance in the antioxidant system in erythrocytes of aging adult women, which is even more pronounced in cases of type II diabetes. This study may indicate possible therapeutic treatment or preventive measures to limit oxidative damage and reduce complications of diabetes.