Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, producing hyperglycemia and is affected by factors like insulin resistance. Hyperglycemia can produce reactive oxygen species or free radicals due to its effects on various pathways. These free radicals may lead to oxidative stress in diabetes and as a preventive measure; the body may increase its preventive antioxidants.

Objectives: Uric acid is considered to be an antioxidant and this study was undertaken to understand the relation of serum uric acid levels in Type 2 diabetes patients.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done and included 100 individuals (50 Type 2 diabetes cases and 50 normal controls). Fasting blood glucose level and 2-h postprandial blood glucose level were estimated by glucose oxidase-peroxidase endpoint method, and serum uric acid levels were measured by uricase-trinder endpoint method on fully automated chemistry analyzer.


Results: Serum uric acid levels were significantly elevated in Type 2 diabetes patients group as compared to nondiabetic controls. The mean uric acid level in cases was found to be 8.02 ± 1.86 mg/dl, whereas in controls, it was found to be 3.73 ± 1.06 mg/dl. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Monitoring of serum uric acid levels in persons having Type 2 diabetes can help in knowing the effects of oxidative stress in these cases and can be used as an aid to other tests.

Key words: Diabetes Mellitus Type; Serum Uric Acid; Antioxidant