Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), the most frequent subtype of diabetes, comprises a complex heterogeneous group of metabolic diseases characterized by high levels of blood glucose (hyperglycaemia) and impaired insulin action and/or insulin secretion due to � cell dysfunction. Increasing evidence in both experimental and clinical studies suggest oxidative stress (OS) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of T2DM and its complications. In a physiological condition appropriate levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), generated either in restricted amounts or in a transient fashion, are essentially required to promote physiological angiogenesis and homeostatic maintenance of healthy vasculature. Uncontrolled continuous ROS production ultimately contribute to pathology and causes tissue damage. One of the most important proangiogenic factors is Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) which plays 

a key role in diabetic endothelial dysfunction, which ultimately leads to pathogenesis of vascular complications. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between antioxidant status and VEGF levels in plasma that may lead to vascular complications. A case-control study of one hundred and fourteen patients with T2DM (n=ll4) and thirty three control subjects (n=33) were screened from different areas of West

 which gives rise to a risk o

damage (retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy) [Orasanu et al., 2009]. It is associated with reduced life expectancy, significant morbidity due to specific diabetes related microvascular complications, increased risk of macrovascular complications (ischaemic heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease), and diminished quality of life [WHO, 2016].

According to the Diabetes Atlas (7th edition), the global prevalence of diabetes is estimated at 415 million (8.8%), which is expected to rise to 642 million in next 25 years [IDF, 2015]. India is being referred to as the 'diabetic capital of the world' [Joshi et al., 2012]. About 31% of the population of West Bengal is suffering from T2DM [Shashank et al., 2012]. Factors associated with the pathogenesis of long-term diabetic complications are multifactorial, although persistent hyperglycemia (glucotoxicity) seems to be a key mediator. At least three distinct metabolic pathways seem to be involved in the pathogenesis of long-term complications; it is likely that all of them play a role in a tissue­ specific manner [Kumar et al., 2018]. The main consequences of these pathways lead to the formation of oxidative stress (OS) which appears to be the major underlying cause of diabetic complications.

OS-dependent angiogenesis is an important contributor to the progression of cancers and chronic diseases. One of the most important proangiogenic factors is Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). OS induces the over expression of the VEGF gene in T2DM and leads to the development oflate diabetic complications.

In this study, the relationship between the VEGF level in plasma and stress level [level of malondialdehyde (lipid peroxidation) and activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase] were examined. To the best of our knowledge, no previous study was found in the literature which sought to investigate the relationship between VEGF expression and antioxidant status in the context of T2DM and its complications in the population of West Bengal. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between antioxidant status and VEGF

 level in plasma that may lead to vascular complications.