EVALUATION OF CELL DEATH IN PERIPHERAL BLOOD IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

The aim of our study is to determine the level of cell death in peripheral blood and the number of cells with micronuclei by means of flow cytometry in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with the presence or absence of distal polyneuropathy. 176 patients with T2DM and 67 healthy volunteers were examined. Apoptosis of peripheral blood leukocytes and the number of cells with micronuclei increase with longer duration of T2DM, regardless of compensation, patient’s age and the presence of distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Determination of apoptosis and the presence of micronucleus test of peripheral blood leukocytes may be the integral marker of pathological changes in T2DM patients.