Effect of glycaemic control on serum Retinol and beta carotene levels in type 2 diabetics in Calabar, Nigeria

The study aimed to determine the effect of glycaemic control on serum retinal and beta-carotene levels in diabetics and non-diabetics. Fasting blood glucose (FBS), glycated haemoglobin (HbAlc), serum retinol and beta-carotene levels were estimated using colorimetric methods in 100 diabetic subjects and 65 age-matched non-diabetic controls. The body mass index (BMI) of all subjects was determined. The mean FBS, HbAlc, retinol and beta-carotene levels were significantly (p0.05) difference was observed in the serum retinol and beta-carotene levels in diabetics with poor glycaemic control and those with good control. A significant negative correlation (p0.05) effect on the serum retinol and beta-carotene levels in all the subjects. Diabetics have higher levels of retinol and beta-carotene perhaps as a result of high dietary intake. This study found that glycaemic control and duration of diabetes do not seem to affect the metabolism of vitamin A