Abstract

This study aims to explore the expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in arteriosclerosis plaque on type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) with arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) of the lower extremity. A total of 24 samples from 12 patients with lower-extremity ASO who underwent surgical treatment were collected in this study. Among these samples were 12 iliofemoral arterial plaques and 12 popliteal or distal arterial plaques. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed on the plaque intima to determine the expression level of platelet-derived growth factor receptors α and β. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was carried out to detect the mRNA level of the PDGF A and B chains. PDGFR-α and PDGFR-β were excessively expressed in lower-extremity arteriosclerosis plaques. The mean PDGF B chain mRNA level in the popliteal arterial plaques of ASO patients with type-2 DM was increased when compared with that in the iliofemoral arterial plaques. The PDGF B chain mRNA level was higher in the popliteal arterial plaques in type-2 DM with ASO than in iliofemoral artery plaques. This finding confirmed that the PDGF B chain has a key function in arteriosclerosis development.

Key words: Arteriosclerosis obliterans, platelet-derived growth factor, type-2 diabetes.