الفهرس 
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Abstract
DIABETES mellitus was first described about 1500 B.C in Egypt.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by relative or
absolute lack of insulin, or by insulin resistance, or both, which results in
impaired use of carbohydrate and altered metabolism of fat and protein
(Maurer 1979; and Thompson 1999).
In the 21 st century, patients suffering from diabetes melli tus, a life-
style related disease will increase more than in 20th century. DM is
threatening because of the development of many severe secondary
complications, including atherosclerosis, nerve damage, male impotence,
renal failure, cardiac abnormalities, diabetic retinopathy, and ocular
disorders (Sakurai 2002).
It is now well recognized that diabetes is an epidemic disease in most
countries, including Egypt, that are undergoing socioeconomic transitions.
World wide, an estimated 150 million people are affected by diabetes, and
this number is likely to reach 300 million by the year 2025 if successful
strategies are not implemented for its prevention and control. It has been
suggested that, oxidative stress may play an important role in the
pathogenesis of diabetic complications because hyperglycemia may cause
increased production of free radicals (Willems et. al., 1998).