By Simona Daniela Morhan

Introduction Diabetes- very high level of glucose in the body that causes deregulation of the metabolism. Oxidative stress- overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Type 1 Diabetes Insulin dependent diabetes Not enough insulin in the body People under 30 years of age Daily insulin treatment to sustain a person’s life Type 2 Diabetes Non-insulin dependent People over 40 years of age Family history with diabetes Treatment can be made by diet changes and oral medication

Oxidative stress Oxidative stress takes place while oxygen free radical are produced in a very large amount through the diminution of oxygen. Oxidative stress makes damages in a cell, tissue, or organ caused by free radicals.

Oxidative Stress and Diabetes Oxidative stress functions on both sides meaning that it helps in the progression and the development of diabetes. Oxidative stress is an important mediator of vascular complication in diabetes.

Complications in Diabetes Caused by Oxidative Stress Cardiovascular Complications Coronary Artery Disease Peripheral Vascular Disease Cerebrovascular disease Neuropathy Complications Dementia (Alzheimer’s Disease)

Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Complications Oxidative stress is a regular characteristic of diabetic complications when the action of antioxidant systems is overwhelmed by additional production of reactive oxygen species. Oxidative stress in aging can result from an imbalance of perooxidants and antioxidants with excessive, destructive free radical chemistry.

Oxidative Stress and Neuropathy Complications Oxidative stress leads to both neuronal and vascular cells and participates in breakdown of neuronal phenotype in experimental diabetic neuropathy. Oxidative stress is believed to have an important responsibility in the formation of Alzheimer’s disease on account of the fact that it participates in both nuclear DNA and membrane phosphatidylserine exposure in neuronal and vascular cells to promote loss of cellular integrity, microglial phagocytosis, and thrombotic destruction.

Mitochondria Mitochondria-are important organelles that have some roles in the cell, which are amino acid biosynthesis, fatty acid oxidation, and steroid metabolism.

Mitochondria and Oxidative Stress Mitochondria-recognized to be a very important source of superoxide radicals and others reactive oxygen species that are connected with oxidative stress.

Insulin resistance Insulin resistance takes place when the cell no longer responds well to insulin.

Insulin Resistance and Oxidative Stress Oxidative stress has the ability to lower insulin sensitivity and injure the insulin producing cells within the pancreas. Oxidative stress modifies the signaling pathway within a cell installing insulin resistance.

Antioxidants Antioxidants are substances that inhibit the destructive effect of oxidation. Antioxidants: glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and reductase, vitamins A, C, E, catalase, and enzyme superoxide dismutase.

Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress Antioxidants work as inhibitors in the destructive effect of oxidation and are needed for improving or stopping the development of diabetes.

Conclusion Oxidative stress has been demonstrated to participate in the progression of diabetes. Oxidative stress plays an important role during diabetes, including impairment of insulin action and elevation of complication incidence. Antioxidants have already shown to be prospective in the treatment for diabetes in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.