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Cryopreservation and Bioenergetic Evaluation of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
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Mitochondrial DNA content in peripheral blood monocytes: relationship with age of diabetes onsetand diabetic

J Wong1, S V McLennan, L Molyneaux

  • 1Diabetes Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Level 6, West Wing, Missenden Road, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia. jencia.wong@email.cs.nsw.gov.au

Diabetologia
|July 25, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Earlier type 2 diabetes onset correlates with lower mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs), but only in patients without complications. This suggests differing biology in early-onset diabetes without complications.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Mitochondrial Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in type 2 diabetes.
  • Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content in peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) may serve as a biomarker.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between the age of type 2 diabetes onset and mtDNA content in PBMCs.
  • To explore if this relationship is modified by the presence of diabetes complications.

Main Methods:

  • PBMCs were isolated from 65 type 2 diabetes patients aged >=50 years.
  • mtDNA content was quantified using gene amplification and normalized to nuclear genes.
  • Participants were stratified based on the presence or absence of diabetes complications.

Main Results:

  • A significant positive trend was observed between age of diabetes onset and PBMC mtDNA content in the overall cohort.
  • A strong positive association was found between age of onset and mtDNA content in patients without complications (r=0.7, p=0.0002).
  • No significant association was observed in patients with diabetes complications (r=-0.04, p=0.8).

Conclusions:

  • Earlier type 2 diabetes onset is associated with lower PBMC mtDNA content, specifically in patients without diabetes complications.
  • This finding suggests distinct pathophysiological mechanisms in early-onset diabetes without complications.
  • PBMC mtDNA depletion might contribute to earlier diabetes onset, though diabetes duration's independent effect requires further study.

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