17 non-diabetic subjects and 11 patiens with type I diabets - matched in age and BMI -were studied in order to evaluate the effects of well controlled diabets on antioxidant status. Mean duration of diabets was 10 years; a mean HbA1c value of 6 .06 -0.48%  implied a good blood glucose control. All the diabetics subjects were on intensive insulin therapy and had no renal complications. Atherogen index (total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol) was practically identical in the two groups (3.05 vs 156 µM), but the difference was not significant (p=0.11). Antioxidant enzyme activities (erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and catalase, whole blood glutahione peroxidase) did not differ in the two groups. Similarly Total Antioxidant Status - a measure of overall antioxidant defense in plasma - and TBARS concentrations were not statistically different in controls and diabetics.We assume that type I diabets, when blood glucose is stictly controlled by intensive insulin therapy, is not accompanied by changes in the prooxidant - antioxidant balance.

Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, intensive insulin therapy, Lipid Peroxides, antioxides, glutaxione peroxidase, total antioxidant status