Glutathione Metabolism in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes - Study B

Glutathione is normally present at high levels in the blood and plays an important role in the body's defense against oxidative stress, that is, against the damage caused to the body by several reactive oxygen species produced by the metabolism of most nutrients, including glucose. Glutathione is a small peptide made from 3 amino acids, glutamate, cysteine, and glycine. This study is looking at how blood sugar levels may affect the way glutathione is made and used by the body. Since glutathione is continuously synthesized and broken down, the amount of glutathione present in the blood depends on the balance between its rate of synthesis and its rate of use. In earlier studies, we found that in poorly controlled diabetic teenagers, glutathione was low, not because it was not produced fast enough, but because it was used at an excessive rate. In this study, we want to find out whether improving blood sugar control will increase glutathione levels, and, if so, how long this will take. We also hope to find out if oral supplementation with a mixture of several antioxidant vitamins and minerals will increase glutathione levels more than taking a placebo.