[Malondialdehyde, alpha-tocopherol and retinol content of the blood serum in male diabetics].

The average concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in diabetes mellitus males was not higher than in the age-matched controls whereas alpha-tocopherol levels in diabetes mellitus significantly exceeded the normal disregarding the pattern of the disease and closely correlated with the concentration of triglycerides. Lower concentration of retinol in comparison with the control group was observed in the patients. Relative levels of alpha-tocopherol/MDA and retinol/MDA were age-dependent: in patients under 30 and above 50 the levels of alpha-tocopherol/MDA were significantly higher than in their normal age-matches while in 31-50-old ones no elevation in the above mentioned levels was observed. Retinol/MDA levels were significantly lower in the latter age group. The data are indicative of decreased levels of alpha-tocopherol and retinol in diabetes mellitus patients aged 31-50.