Relationships Between α-Tocopherol and Glucosilated Haemoglobin in Normal and in Type 1 Diabetes Affected Children

Abstract 24

Animal's studies showed that intraperitoneal administration of vitamine E(E) decreases protein glucosilation (PG). "In vitro", E inhibits PG. E administration to diabetic adults reduce PG in relation to the dose received. E deficiency has been reported in diabetic patients without a good control of their disease. The glucosilated haemoglobine (HbA_1c) percentage and its relationship with E nutritive state in type 1 diabetes are analyzed. METHODS: 119 children were analyzed subdivided into two groups homogeneous to age and sex. G-I (control), n:61, 9.5±0.5(mean±SEM) years old, M/F:33/28; and, G-II (insulin-dependent diabetes), n:58, 10.9±0.5 years old, M/F: 35/23, the length of disease was 4.7±0.6 years. Samples were taken in fasting between 8 and 10 o'clock in the morning. E (FABIANEK, 1968), total cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid plasma levels were measured by spectrophotometric method; E/total lipids (E/TL) ratio was evaluated. HbA_1c by HPLC in erythrocites. RESULTS: The E/TL ratio (nutritional state of E) showed no differences between G-II and G-I: 2.3±0.1 vs 2.1±0.1 mg/g. HbA_1c mean values were higher in G-II than in G-1: 8.9±0.3 vs 4.8±0.1%, p<0.001. Only in G-I a correlation between E levels and HbA_1c percentage was observed (r:0.46, p<0.01). DISCUSSION & CONCLUSIONS: The positive effect of E to reduce HbA_1c is obvious in physiological conditions. In those diabetic patients with HbA_1c increased, antioxidant enzymatic activities could be inhibited. Glucose auto-oxidation generates H₂O₂. Free radicals are involved in PG pathogenesis. The present results suggest that "physiological levels of E in diabetic children are insufficient to soften HbA_1c production".