ABSTRACT
Apoptosis is a physiological process observed in many organs and cells which may also occur in pathological conditions. The most important mechanism of apoptosis is the Fas- system. Beta-cell apoptosis has been associated with the onset of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. The aim of this work is to estimate the serum and vitreous levels of soluble Fas [sFas] and soluble Fas ligand [sFasL] in insulin dependent diabetics with retinopathy and the serum level of s.Fas and s.FasL in insulin dependent diabetics with neuropathy and to compare the results with those obtained from non diabetic and non complicated diabetic subjects. The study revealed a significant increase in the vitreous and serum levels of sFas and sFasL in diabetic patients with retinopathy and a more significant increase of the serum level of sFas and sFasL in diabetics with neuropathy. So, the disregulation of the Fas system may be one of the mechanisms of the pathogenesis of diabetic complications and complementary studies are required to treat or prevent the occuranc of these complications