Résumé
Background: vascular complications are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Because apoptosis plays a critical role in normal vasculz development and atherosclerosis, we assessed the level of Bcl-2 which is a major anti-apoptotic factor in diabetic patients with and without vascular complications to assess the changes of apoptosis which may occur in diabetic patients
Patients and Methods: this study was conducted on 80 patients divided into 3 groups: Group 1 type 2 diabetics without vascular complications [20 patients, with age rangedfrom 40-65 years with a mean age 52.5+/- 8.0 years], group 2: type 2 diabetics with vascular complications [40 patients with age ranged from 35-80 years with a mean age 57.65+/- 12.75 years], group 3: Healthy non diabetic subjects [20 subjects with age ranged from 35-72 years with a mean age 53.1+/-17.09 years] as a control group. The Bcl-2 ELISA test was used to assess the level of Bcl-2 as a marker of apoptosis. The determination of Bcl-2 was done using a kit supplied by Bender Medsystem Diagnostic Gmbh Rennweg 95 b [USA]
Results: Bcl-2 was found to be significantly lower in the both diabetic groups [with and without vascular complications] in comparison to the control group [p<0.001 and p<0.001 respectively]. It was found to be significantly lower in diabetic patients with vascular complications in comparison to those without vascular complications [p<0.001]. Bcl-2 was negatively correlated to glycated Hb level [p value <0.05], however, it had no correlation to the duration of diabetes in both diabetic groups
Conclusions: Bcl-2 levels are low in diabetic patients especially those with vascular complications indicating a higher rate of apoptosis in those patients. increased apoptosis may have an important pathogenic role in both development and progression of diabetes and its vascular complications