Oxidative stress had a detrimental impact on myocardial performance, particularly in patients with diabetes, according to a new study.
Published in the BMJ Diabetes Research & Care, the study revealed a significant correlation between oxidative stress markers and subclinical left ventricular dysfunction (SCLVD) in patients with diabetes, highlighting the need for comprehensive cardiac assessments in this population.
Study Overview
The observational cross-sectional study evaluated 151 patients, including 81 with diabetes mellitus (DM) and 70 healthy individuals. The primary objective was to investigate the relationship between oxidative stress and SCLVD, as measured by the Myocardial Performance Index (MPI), in patients with and without diabetes. Tissue Doppler echocardiography was used to assess MPI, and oxidative stress was quantified through Total Oxidant Status (TOS), Total Antioxidant Status (TAS), and the Oxidative Stress Index (OSI).
Key Findings
The study found that oxidative stress levels were significantly higher in patients with diabetes compared to healthy individuals. The mean TOS and OSI values in the DM group were 5.72 and 4.92, respectively, compared to 5.31 and 1.79 in the control group. Conversely, TAS values were significantly lower in the DM group (1.21) compared to healthy individuals (3.23).
A significant correlation was observed between OSI and MPI in diabetic patients (R = 0.554, p < 0.001), indicating that higher oxidative stress was associated with worse myocardial performance. This correlation was not observed in the healthy control group (R = -0.069, p = 0.249).
Implications for Clinical Practice
The findings suggested that oxidative stress played a crucial role in the development of SCLVD in patients with diabetes, even in the absence of other cardiovascular risk factors. This highlighted the importance of monitoring oxidative stress levels as part of routine cardiac assessments for patients with diabetes. The use of MPI as a non-invasive diagnostic tool could aid in the early detection of subclinical cardiac dysfunction, enabling timely intervention and management.
Study Limitations
While the study provided valuable insights, it acknowledged several limitations. The single-center design might limit the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, the study did not employ advanced diagnostic tools such as cardiac MRI or N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide testing, which could have provided a more detailed assessment of ventricular function.
Conclusion
The study underscored the strong link between oxidative stress and subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in diabetic patients. According to the researchers, the significant correlation between oxidative stress markers and MPI suggested that managing oxidative stress could be vital in preventing cardiac dysfunction in this population. The study authors recommended that future research should focus on longitudinal studies and explore the potential benefits of antioxidant therapies in managing diabetic cardiomyopathy.
The authors declared having no competing interests.