Clinical
Diabetic Retinopathy and Role of Micronutrients: II. B-Vitamins and Minerals
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Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common vascular complications of diabetes and leading cause of blindness. During the study, we examined association between micronutrients (B vitamins and minerals) and type-2 diabetic retinopathy.
One hundred and twenty subjects of type 2 diabetic mellitus patients with (65) were included in this case control study. Clinical evaluation of fundus was done by slit lamp and indirect ophthalmoscopy and fundus fluoresceine angiogram was recorded. Serum levels of minerals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Co, Zn, Mn and Se) were estimated by atomic absorption spectroscopy (flame and graphite furnace). Vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12 were analyzed in erythrocyte lysates or in plasma by enzyme activation coefficient or by radioimmunoassay.
In the present study, we observed no significant difference between normal controls and diabetic with and without retinopathy with respect to the levels of most of the micronutrients which have an important role in insulin resistance and sensitivity (Zn, Mg, Mn, and Cr), Among the B-vitamins, levels of B-12 and B-6 appear to be deficient in DR patients compared to normal and diabetic subjects.
These results indicate an association between decreased levels of plasma vitamin B6 & B12 and diabetic retinopathy, which needs further evaluation in terms of exploring their role in diabetic retinopathy. These studies are also expected to provide the possibility for the nutritional therapy in diabetic retinopathy.
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