The Effect of Retinoic Acid in Children with Type I Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases. There are many evidences that All-trans retinoic acid (atRA) can be beneficial in T1DM. Objectives: To investigate for the first time the effect of All-trans retinoic acid (atRA) in type I diabetic patients as regards to the metabolic control, and oxidative stress biomarkers. Study Design: 17 children with T1DM treated with oral at RA/ketaconazol for 4 months. Glycemic control indices, lipogram, retinol binding protein and oxidative stress indices were measured at baseline and monthly till the end of the study. Results: With atRA treatment, there was no significant changes in glycemic control indices, only triglycerides significantly decreased to normal levels, retinol binding protein significantly decreased, and the oxidative stress marker were significantly improved. Conclusion: Although there was no significant improvement in any of the glycemic control markers, however there was significant improvement in other markers indicative of longterm complications of diabetes as triglycerides and oxidative stress markers. Further studies with longer duration of treatment are recommended.