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What Happens to the DNA in Diabetes?

DNA is found in almost all cells of the human body, except for mature red blood cells. Diabetes is an abnormal metabolism of sugar that is related to insulin problems. Diabetics experience increased risk of skin infections and cardiovascular disease. In recent years, researchers have linked oxidative damage of DNA to diabetes.

  1. Disease Signs and Symptoms

    • Simple diabetic test kit for determination of blood sugar levels.

      Diabetics typically have elevated sugar levels. Diabetics experience increased thirst, frequent urination and itchy skin. Home chemical test kits enable sugar levels to be determined from small blood samples withdrawn after a sterile finger prick. Diabetes may have an early onset (juvenile, or type 1 diabetes), or diabetes may occur later in life (mature, adult onset).

    Monitoring Blood Glucose Levels

    • Eye retinal exam of diabetics may reveal vessel and tissue damage.

      Both juvenile (type 1), and mature onset (type 2) diabetics must check and control blood sugar by medication to maintain normal sugar levels and to protect against cell and DNA damage. Diabetics experience increased risks to skin, blood vessel, eye and heart tissues. Diabetes acts at the cellular level and can damage DNA, or even kill cells.

    Cell Damage

    • Diabetic pH trends toward acidifaction of blood and tissues.

      Elevated sugar levels in diabetics may approach 300 to 400 mg/100 ml or more (three to four times or more above normal levels). High blood and serum sugar is toxic to cells and causes cells to lose water and change their metabolism. Sugar-immersed cells begin to burn fats and lipids, and during this process toxic byproducts are produced that stress and damage cell enzymes and DNA.

    DNA and Control Molecules

    • Obesity and lack of exercise promotes diabetes

      Hinokio and associates found damaged DNA products in urine and white blood cells of diabetics. They related this to a "P" molecule in the mitochondria that regulates oxygen use and energy production. Lai et al. note that limited physical activity and certain kinds of mitochondrial genes may contribute to promote type 2 diabetes and DNA damage in patients.

    Damage to DNA Repair Enzymes

    • Exercise and control of diabetes promotes health

      Simone et al. discovered damage to DNA repair enzymes in diabetics, and this adds further support to the idea that damage to DNA is heightened and repair to DNA is lessened in diabetics. Therefore, direct damage to DNA, and to the enzymes that repair DNA, are two potential problems in diabetes.

    Exercise and Weight Control

    • Control and maintenance of proper weight, exercise, monitoring and control of sugar levels, are all important. These activities contribute to a healthier life for all, and help to protect against damage to DNA.

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