RESUMO
Malondialdehyde (MDA), an end product of lipid peroxidation and biomarker for oxidative stress, and its soluble receptor (sRAGE) were evaluated in 42 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, but without chronic complications, during the early years after diagnosis (0-10 years) and through the further progression of the disease (10-20 and > 20 years after diagnosis). Clinical and biochemical parameters of the cohort of diabetic patients were compared with those determined in 24 healthy individuals. The median levels of MDA in plasma were similar in type 1 diabetes patients and in healthy subjects. In contrast, statistically significant increases were detected in the median values of sRAGE in patients with type 1 diabetes compared with healthy subjects (2423.75 versus 1472.75 pg/ml; p=0.001, Mann-Whitney test). However, no significant between-group differences (p>0.05) were observed in levels of sRAGE when diabetic patients were grouped according to time elapsed after diagnosis. It is concluded that increased plasma levels of sRAGE in type 1 diabetes may provide protection against cell damage and may be sufficient to eliminate excessive circulating MDA during early years after disease onset.