Research gives hope in fight against diabetes

VISAKHAPATNAM: A post graduate doctor from the department of biochemistry at Andhra Medical College (AMC) has done pioneering research that can help halt the progress of diabetes mellitus and other associated complications such as end-stage renal failure through administration of medicines.
"Hyperglycemia or increased levels of sugar in the blood is the cause for diabetes mellitus or Type II diabetes (T2DM).As a result of oxidative stress, free oxygen radicals are released in the body leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is not beneficial for oxygen and causes micro-vascular (blood vessels) complications. Oxidative stress occurs as a result of the imbalance between ROS production and antioxidant defenses. Ultimately, it causes end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or diabetic nephropathy," said Dr P Vijaya Radhika, who was recently awarded the prestigious Dr Pedaveerraju gold medal for the best research paper in investigative medicine by the AMC research forum.
The primary defence to this oxidative stress is through antioxidants (such as uric acid, bilirubin, and albumin and those supplied through fruit, vegetables and green tea).
Diabetes mellitus contributes to production of oxidative radicals, leads to micro vascular complications and thus to renal disease. Administration of antioxidant medication at the level of diagnosis of T2DM or diabetic nephropathy may alleviate the progression to ESRD.
"Through my research, I concluded that if anti-oxidant medication can be given at the time of diagnosis, it can halt the progression of micro-vascular complications, which takes 10-20 years to manifest. Also, the progression of ESRD can be halted," asserted Dr Radhika, who was a rank-holder (25th) in EAMCET, has received a gold medal in the field of forensic medicine and is a Kuchipudi dancer as well.