[A role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and the possibility of its correction with α-lipoic acid preparations].

Oxidative stress is an imbalance in the body between prooxidants and the antioxidant defense system, which, to varying degrees of severity, accompanies insulin deficiency or insulin resistance, which are one of the essential components of the pathogenesis of vascular complications of diabetes.  It has been established that oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus can be the result of several mechanisms: a) increased formation of reactive oxidants that are formed during the oxidation of both carbohydrates themselves and carbohydrates complexing with various proteins, as well as the result of autooxidation of fatty acids in triglycerides, phospholipids and esters cholesterol; b) reducing the activity of the antioxidant system in the body, which is represented by glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, vitamins, K, E and C and other antioxidants (taurine, carotene, uric acid and ubiquinol); c) disorders of enzymes of polyol glucose metabolism, mitochondrial oxidation, metabolism of prostaglandins and leukotrienes and a decrease in glyoxalase activity; d) violation of the concentration or exchange of glutathione and ions of certain metals. In addition, ischemia, hypoxia and pseudohypoxia of tissues observed in diabetes mellitus are additional factors contributing to the increased formation of reactive oxidants in various organs and tissues.