Glutathione Metabolism in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes - Study B
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2011-08-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Glutathione is normally present at high levels in the blood and plays an important role in
the body's defense against oxidative stress, that is, against the damage caused to the body
by several reactive oxygen species produced by the metabolism of most nutrients, including
glucose. Glutathione is a small peptide made from 3 amino acids, glutamate, cysteine, and
glycine.
This study is looking at how blood sugar levels may affect the way glutathione is made and
used by the body. Since glutathione is continuously synthesized and broken down, the amount
of glutathione present in the blood depends on the balance between its rate of synthesis and
its rate of use.
In earlier studies, we found that in poorly controlled diabetic teenagers, glutathione was
low, not because it was not produced fast enough, but because it was used at an excessive
rate. In this study, we want to find out whether improving blood sugar control will increase
glutathione levels, and, if so, how long this will take. We also hope to find out if oral
supplementation with a mixture of several antioxidant vitamins and minerals will increase
glutathione levels more than taking a placebo.