Content of Carbonyl Compounds and Parameters of Glutathione Metabolism in Men with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus at Preclinical Stages of Diabetic Nephropathy

The content of carbonyl compounds (methylglyoxal and TBA-reactive substances) and components of the glutathione system (activities of glutathione-dependent enzymes, content of oxidized and reduced glutathione) and their interrelationships were studied in men of young reproductive age with type 1 diabetes mellitus at the stages of normo- and microalbuminuria. In patients with normoalbuminuria, the level of methylglyoxal, reduced and oxidized glutathione, and glutathione reductase activity were increased and the content of TBA-reactive substances was decreased. In the group with microalbuminuria, an increase in content of methylglyoxal and activity of glutathione-dependent enzymes relative to the control values were observed; the content of TBA-reactive substances was increased and glutathione reductase activity was decreased relative to the group with normoalbuminuria. In patients with microalbuminuria, a strong correlation between the mean glomerular filtration rate and the blood level of methylglyoxal was revealed.

Automated summary

This study investigated the relationship between carbonyl compounds and components of the glutathione system in young men with type 1 diabetes mellitus at different stages of diabetic nephropathy. The findings showed alterations in levels of certain markers in patients with mild albuminuria.