Objectives: To study the ameliorative properties of lycopene in diabetic patients by measuring oxidative stress biomarkers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidant enzymes like xanthine oxidase (XOD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and low molecular weight antioxidant compound that is reduced glutathione (GSH) in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods:The subjects were divided into three groups: Group-1: Normal healthy subjects (Control); Group-2: Diabetic patients and Group-3: 4 mg lycopene ingested diabetic patients. The levels of MDA, XOD, SOD, GPx, GR and GSH were determined in blood samples in all the groups for evaluation of oxidantantioxidant status.Results: A significant (p<0.001) elevation in MDA and XOD levels while a significant (p<0.01) reduction in SOD, GPx, GR and GSH levels was observed in diabetic patients. Oral administration of lycopene (4 mg once daily for 3 months) to diabetic patients attenuated the oxidative stress by significantly (p<0.01) decreasing the levels of MDA and XOD. In addition, lycopene significantly (p<0.01) increased the SOD, GSH, GPx and GR levels in lycopene ingested diabetic patients. Conclusion:Aforementioned observations suggested that oxidative stress increased in diabetics while ingestion of lycopene (4 mg/day for 3 months) might alleviate oxidative stress in diabetic patients and warrants further investigations with large clinical trials.

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