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Electrical conduction system apoptosis in type II diabetes mellitus
S Hostiuc1, Alina Popescu, Elena Daniela Guţu
1Discipline of Anatomy, Faculty of Dental Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; anatomon@gmail.com.
Summary
Type II diabetes mellitus induces apoptosis in cardiac nodal tissue. This programmed cell death involves the intrinsic pathway and is associated with necrosis, impacting heart function.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Pathology
- Cellular Biology
- Diabetology
Background:
- Apoptosis is linked to cardiovascular diseases, but its role in adult cardiac nodal tissue remains under-researched.
- Diabetic cardiovascular pathology has been associated with cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of programmed cell death in cardiac nodal tissue of type II diabetes mellitus patients.
- To elucidate the mechanisms of cell death in diabetic nodal tissue.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study using autopsy heart samples from 10 type II diabetes mellitus patients.
- Histopathological analysis including Hematoxylin-Eosin staining.
- Immunohistochemistry for caspases 3 and 9, cathepsin B, and TRADD.
Main Results:
- Nodal tissue exhibited diffuse interstitial fibrosis and chronic ischemic lesions.
- Evidence of nuclear damage and ischemic necrosis alongside relatively normal myocytes was observed.
- Sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes were positive for caspase-3, caspase-9, and cathepsin-B, indicating combined apoptotic and necrotic processes.
Conclusions:
- Nodal apoptosis is present in type II diabetes mellitus.
- The intrinsic apoptotic pathway is involved.
- Concomitant or post-apoptotic necrosis occurs alongside apoptosis in diabetic nodal tissue.
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