Abstract:
Introduction: Type 2Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic progressive disease.
There is increasing evidence that T2DM has been associated with elevated levels of
DNA damage and a decreased efficacy of DNA repair causing genomic instability
and consequently cancer. The frequency of Micro Nuclei (MN) has been mainly used
as a biomarker to evaluate genotoxic risks in the environment. Oxidative Stress (OS)
plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of both types of DM and its complications.
OS causes oxidative degradation of lipids in cell membranes (lipid peroxidation)
resulting in cell damage. In order to combat the cell damage, body has antioxidant
property as a defence mechanism. Over production of ROS (OS) alters the OS
biomarkers. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) plays a key role in the
pathogenesis of different complications of T2DM. Polymorphisms in VEGF gene
contribute to the risk of diabetic complications.
Objectives: To determine lipid peroxidation and antioxidant (catalase) activities,
frequency of MN and molecular analysis for diagnosis for the progression of diabetic
complications in association with genetic polymorphisms in VEGF gene.
Methodology: Lipid peroxidation and catalase activity are assayed
spectrophotometrically in both diabetic cases and non diabetic controls. The slides
for MN analysis in buccal cells are stained with giemsa and scored randomly. DNA
from peripheral blood are isolated and amplified by PCR followed by RFLP.
Results: Lipid peroxidation is higher than the catalase activity in diabetic samples
rather than the non-diabetic controls. The frequency of MN is also elevated in diabetic
samples. Polymorphisms in VEGF gene have been found in diabetic cases.
Discussion: Elevated lipid peroxidation than the catalase activity signifies increase
in cellular susceptibility to oxidative stress. Increase in MN frequency in diabetic
patients denotes a risk for causing cancer. Polymorphisms in VEGF gene state its
association for the progression of late diabetic complications.
