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Updated: May 27, 2026

The Micronucleus Assay on Cryopreserved Whole Blood
Published on: February 23, 2024
Elevated micronuclei frequency in type 2 diabetes with high glycosylated hemoglobin
Suresh K G Shettigar1, C Shailaja, Ratnakar K Kulkarni
1Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics Section, Pathology Unit, Medical Division, BARC Hospital, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India. sureshs@barc.gov.in
Type 2 diabetes patients show increased DNA damage, indicated by higher micronuclei frequency, linked to elevated glycosylated hemoglobin. This suggests a potential biomarker for future diabetic complications.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes is known to cause oxidative DNA damage.
- Glycosylation of proteins, including hemoglobin, increases with blood glucose levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the induction of micronuclei as a marker of DNA damage in type 2 diabetes patients.
- To investigate the relationship between increased glycosylation and micronuclei formation.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 49 participants, divided into normoglycemic controls and type 2 diabetes cases.
- Whole blood cultures were used to score micronuclei.
- Correlations were analyzed with age, sex, blood glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin levels.
Main Results:
- Diabetic patients exhibited a significantly higher frequency of micronuclei compared to normoglycemic controls.
- Increased micronuclei frequency was correlated with elevated glycosylated hemoglobin levels (R(2)=0.229, p=0.037).
Conclusions:
- Elevated glycosylation in type 2 diabetes appears to induce oxidative DNA damage, evidenced by increased micronuclei frequency.
- Micronuclei frequency may serve as a potential biomarker for predicting diabetic complications.
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