DOI: 10.4103/mjbl.mjbl_18_24 ISSN: 1812-156X
Evaluation of Bcl-2 Gene Expression in Iraqi Hemodialysis Patients Using Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Israa Nadhim Habeeb, Maysaa Adil Hadi Abstract
Background:
The B-cell lymphoma 2 (
Bcl-2
) gene plays a role in apoptosis, regulates the inflammatory process, and has therapeutic potential.
Objectives:
This study investigated alterations in the expression of the apoptosis biomarker
Bcl-2
gene using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in hemodialysis (HD) patients and healthy controls.
Materials and Methods:
The study population comprised 60 individuals diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing HD. The participants, both male and female, were under the care of a specialist physician at the hemodialysis unit of the Imam Sadiq Teaching Hospital, Babylon province. In addition, 30 healthy controls were included.
Results:
A significant decrease (
P
< 0.001) was observed in
Bcl-2
levels in HD patients compared with healthy controls. In addition, the cycle threshold value of the
Bcl-2
gene in the patient group was significantly higher (
P
< 0.001) than that in the control group, and the fold of gene expression in the patient group was significantly lower than that in the control group. These findings indicate a significant decrease in the gene expression of
Bcl-2
in HD patients with ESRD.
Conclusion:
The expression levels of the
Bcl-2
gene, which plays a role in suppressing apoptosis, were reduced in the HD group compared to the control group. The findings revealed that the
Bcl-2
gene may play a role in accelerating the process of white blood cell apoptosis, thereby reducing their lifespan. This indicates the significance of evaluating
Bcl-2
gene expression in the survival and apoptosis processes of white blood cells in HD patients.