Dynamic Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis as a Complementary Oxidative Stress Marker Across Albuminuria Stages in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

ObjectiveDiabetic nephropathy (DN) remains one of the mostserious complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). Traditionally, disease progression hasbeen evaluated through albuminuria, yet increasingevidence highlights the role of oxidative stress andredox imbalance in DN pathogenesis. The presentstudy was designed to evaluate dynamic thiol/disulfidehomeostasis across albuminuria stages and to exploreits potential role as a complementary systemic oxidativestress marker alongside albuminuria in T2DM.Material and MethodA total of 122 individuals were included and categorizedinto four study groups: 30 healthy participants (Group1), 31 normoalbuminuric diabetic patients (Group 2),31 patients with microalbuminuria (Group 3), and 30patients with macroalbuminuria (Group 4). Plasmathiol/disulfide parameters were measured using theautomated method developed by Erel and Neselioglu,while urinary albumin concentrations were determinedby immunoturbidimetric assay.ResultsProgressive decreases in both native and total thiollevels were observed with advancing severity ofalbuminuria (p