Expression of Apoptotic Proteins Bax and Bcl-2 in Blood Cells of Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex disease characterized by absolute insulin deficiency or resistance leading to hyperglycemia. Type 2 DM is caused by development of cellular resistance to insulin combined with insufficient insulin production. Type 2 DM is a common disorder causing hyperglycemia, impaired homeostatic process, inhibition of inflammatory response, generation of reactive oxygen species. Apoptosis is a crucial process that influence normal development and tissue homeostasis. Apoptosis is known to be reduced in diabetics. Apoptotic proteins such as bcl-2 and Bax proteins regulate apoptosis. Bcl-2 serves as anti-apoptotic protein while Bax is pro-apoptotic. The balance between these apoptotic proteins determine the apoptotic process. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of apoptotic proteins Bax and Bcl-2 with immunohistochemical methods in the blood samples of type 2 diabetic patients.

Keywords

• apoptosis
• Bcl-2
• Bax
• type-2 diabetes
• blood cells