Dissecting the Intricate Relationship Between Oxidative Stress and Blood Sugar Levels in Middle-Aged Indian Populations: A cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: The global prevalence of diabetes mellitus, particularly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), has reached alarming proportions, transforming into a major public health crisis. Among these mechanisms, oxidative stress has emerged as a pivotal factor influencing glucose metabolism and diabetic complications. The majority of studies examining oxidative stress biomarkers in diabetes have been conducted in Western populations, and there is a paucity of data from India, particularly among middle-aged individuals who are at high risk of developing metabolic disorders due to a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Our study was conceptualized to bridge this crucial knowledge gap by exploring the association between oxidative stress markers and blood sugar levels in the middle-aged Indian population

Materials and Methods: We enrolled 300 age-matched participants in the current study and examined them for their serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, serum nitric oxide (NO) levels, fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels, post-prandial

blood sugar (PPBS) levels, and HbA1C levels. Through convenience sampling, participants were divided into two groups according to their FBS and PPBS levels. Group-1 consisted of 150 participants with normoglycemia, and group-2 consisted of 150 participants with diabetes. The statistical analysis of the data was performed by using SPSS software version 27.

Results: We observed a significantly (p <0.001) higher value of oxidative stress marker in Group-2 individuals when compared with Group-1 individuals. Our data also revealed a positive correlation of markers of blood glucose with serum MDA and a negative correlation with serum NO.

Conclusion: The study concludes by highlighting a significant positive correlation between oxidative stress and diabetes in the middle-aged Indian population. Elevated MDA levels and reduced NO levels in diabetic participants point towards oxidative stress as a central mediator in the disease process.