Inflammation and oxidative stress are linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this work, we analyzed patients’ blood markers of antioxidant capacity, oxidative stress and inflammation in individuals with T2DM, in pre-diabetes state (pre-DM) and controls without diabetes. Patients were divided into three groups, according to glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): <7%, 7–9%, and >9%. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities, total thiols, nitric oxide ( • NO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) levels of the individuals were measured. Plasma SOD activity was higher in T2DM subjects compared to the controls. While total thiols levels were lower in T2DM groups when compared to pre-DM, the values remained unchanged when compared to controls. ICAM-1 levels of T2DM groups were lower than in controls, while GPx activity, • NO, and TNF-α levels were similar among all groups. A positive correlation was found between SOD and HbA1c levels. Concluding, individuals with T2DM present altered SOD activity, total thiols, and ICAM-1 levels, which might contribute to further complications. There is a positive correlation between SOD activity and HbA1c levels. No apparent correlation exists between total thiols and ICAM-1 levels and with any other of the parameters evaluated in this study.

Background: Oxidative stress and inflammation are related to the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus (DM), being involved in the development of micro-and macrovascular complications. Physical activity is beneficial for DM patients, but little is known about the relationship between redox and inflammation biomarkers and the level of physical activity in these patients. Based on this, this research aims to evaluate the effects of physical activity level on redox stress parameters and inflammatory markers in T2DM patients. Methods: Eighty-four patients with T2DM were divided according to their physical activity level: group A (n = 48), sedentary; group B (n = 11) active (3 times a week, 150 min) and group C (n = 25), highly active (5 times a week, 150 -300 mins, at least). Anthropometric and biochemical parameters, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, as well as GSH, sRAGE and ICAM-1 levels were assessed. Results: Glycated haemoglobin, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol levels were lower in the highly active group in comparison to other groups. Plasma SOD activity was higher in