PLASMA DEHYDROASCORBIC ACID LEVELS IN IRANIAN SUBJECTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS

Several reports concerning high plasma dehydroascorbic acid (DHAsA) levels in diabetics have been published and from these reports, suggestions that monitoring of DHAsA levels in those persons with a predisposition to diabetes mellitus would be of value. However, conflicting reports have also appeared which do not confirm high levels of DHAsA in diabetic subjects when compared to controls. Because of these conflicting results, this investigation using Iranian diabetic subjects was undertaken to ascertain whether or not periodic monitoring of DHAsA levels would be of value as an indicator of prediabetic conditions. Our results do not confirm high levels of DHAsA in diabetics but because of the many theories concerning the mechanism of action and the metabolism of DHAsA, previous findings cannot be disregarded.