Keywords: atherosclerosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, oxidative stress

Abstract

Objective: To investigate mitochondrial dysfunction and pattern of expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and correlate these with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) raises the risk of CVD, which contributes significantly to the high mortality rates associated with the disease. The role of mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in the development of CVD has been suggested, however the mechanisms involved are unknown. Methods: Type 2 diabetic mellitus patients with atherosclerosis (T2DM + ATHER, n=40), T2DM patients (n=40) and a control group of age-matched non-diabetic individuals (n=35) were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were collected and analysed for the presence of anti-apoptotic-related factors, Bcl-2 in Peripheral mononuclear cells by qPCR as well as mitochondrial dysfunction by immunofluorescence analysis. Serum TNF-α and antioxidant enzymes (SOD) were measured by ELISA. Result: Bcl-2 expression was significantly decreased in patients with T2DM + ATHER and T2DM (P < 0.05) compared to the control group. MitoSpy Red staining revealed nuclear condensation and fragmentation in T2DM + ATHER and T2DM. There was a significant increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α while the levels of SOD were significantly decreased in the T2DM + ATHER and T2DM patient group (P<0.05) compared to the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction was associated with oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with T2DM +ATHER.