Abstract
Circulating levels of vitamin E, an important membrane-bound antioxidant, were evaluated in 63 young (≤ 40 years old) insulin-dependent diabetics (31 smokers and 32 non-smokers). The average duration of diabetes was 11 years. Thirty control volunteers (≤ 40 years old) were also studied (16 smokers). Vitamin E levels were similar in the diabetic and control groups, and there were no differences between smokers and non-smokers. In both diabetic patients and controls, measurement of cellular antioxidants and lipid peroxidation was not related to vitamin E levels. In addition, the presence of proteinuria did not alter vitamin E levels in the diabetics.