Bcl-2 as a Marker of Apoptosis in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Vascular Complications

Background: Vascular complications are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Because apoptosis plays a critical role in normal vascular 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 ranged from 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. Conclusion: 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.