Role of anti-HSP 60/65 antibodies in atherogenesis in patients with type 2 diabetes and lower limb ischemia.

The role of heat shock proteins and anti-HSP 60/65 antibodies in atherogenesis has been widely described in the literature, but the participation of these molecules in the pathogenesis of diabetic macroangiopathy has not been extensively investigated. 30 patients with type 2 diabetes complicated with macroangiopathy of the lower extremities in the intermittent claudication stage. The control group (n=18) consisted of healthy volunteers of corresponding age. Levels of anti-HSP 60/65 antibodies, von Willebrand factor (vWF) and hsCRP in blood serum were measured. We also assessed static effort based on isometric contraction lasting until full fatigue. In patients with lower limb ischemia in diabetic macroangiopathy, a positive correlation between anti-HSP 60/65 antibodies and von Willebrand factor levels in blood serum was found (R=0.543, p<0.05). Concentrations of anti-HSP 60/65 antibodies were higher than in the control group, but not statistically significant (44.77±55.00 vs. 26.09±13.85; NS). The ongoing disease process contributed statistically significantly to the strength of the quadriceps muscle of the thigh (21.47 vs. 27.82 for the right limb, and 20.27 vs. 28.33 for the left limb; p<0.05). Increased concentrations of anti-HSP 60/65 antibodies in blood serum suggests their involvement in the pathogenesis of diabetic macroangiopathy and correlates with the parameters of endothelial cell damage. In patients with type 2 diabetes complicated with atherosclerotic changes, a statistically significant reduction in lower limb muscle strength was found compared with the control group.