Authors : Magdy A. Ghoneim and Abdulrahman L. Al-Malki
Abstract: The current study was carried out to evaluate the degree of DNA fragmentation that might happen in leukocytes due to diabetes mellitus. Twenty blood samples were obtained from fasting normal and type I diabetic patients subjected to regular analysis at Jeddah Regional Laboratory. The plasma samples are evaluated for blood glucose level while leukocytes are used for determination of DNA fragmentation by both spectrophotometric and electrophoretic methods. Samples of non-diabetic subjects revealed normal blood glucose levels <120 mg dL-1. At the same time, samples of diabetic patients showed significant hyperglycemia >120 mg dL-1. The results of determination of DNA fragmentation levels showed high percentages (as measured by OD) of diabetic samples in comparison to the samples of normal patients. The results of spectrophotometric determination are confirmed by determination of DNA fragmentations in leukocytes by agarose gel electrophoresis and image analysis of fragmented DNA where they are increased in diabetic patients. It is concluded that type I diabetes has a deleterious effect on DNA which may be due to production of reactive free radicals. Therefore, it is recommended that diabetic patients should be advised to administer antioxidants in their treatment.
Magdy A. Ghoneim and Abdulrahman L. Al-Malki, 2010. Evaluation of DNA Fragmentation in Leukocytes of Type I Diabetic Patients. Research Journal of Medical Sciences, 4: 199-203.