High levels of F2-Isoprostanes in Jamaican adults with diabetes mellitus

Inadequate glycaemic control in Jamaican adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) prompted assessment of glycaemic control, oxidative stress, cardiovascular (CV) and renal risk in adults attending a hospital clinic. A random sample of 133 patients men (n=35) and women (n=98), with diabetes mellitus was selected from a population of 510 patients. Fasting blood samples (n=122) were evaluated for metabolic control and dyslipidaemia. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measurement of urinary F2 isoprostane (n=124). The data were analysed using SPSS. The mean age of the participants was 56.7 ± 14.3 years, with mean duration of diabetes of 12.2 years. Mean fasting blood sugar was 8.6 ± 4.3 mmol/L. 77% of patients had HbA1c > 6.5%. 69% of patients were being treated with insulin with no difference in HbA1c levels in these patients compared to those receiving other hypoglycaemic agents. 90% of men (median 1004pg/mg creatinine) and 99% of women (median 1501.3pg/mg) had isoprostane levels above the median for subjects with CV risk. 54% of patients had total cholesterol levels ≥ 5.2 mmol/L, 16% triglyceride levels ≥ 1.5 mmol/L, 25% HDL levels ≤ 1.0mmol/L and 86% LDL ≥ 2.5mmol/L. 63 % of patients had BP >130/85 mmHg. 81% were overweight or obese, with 80% of the men having waist circumferences >88 cm, whereas 87% of the women had waist circumferences of 84.5cm. Microalbuminuria was increased in 37% of the subjects. The high prevalence of overweight, central obesity, elevated LDL and hypertension in these patients indicated high CV and renal risk. The risk was significantly higher in persons with inadequate glycaemic control. Isoprostane levels were high in the majority of subjects but did not correlate with HbA1c or any other variable. (Int J Diabetes 14: 51-54, 2006 )