Expression of SR-A II and CD36 in white blood cells correlate with plasma AGEs levels and diabetic complications

AIM: To investigate the correlation of the expression of scavenger receptors SR-A II and CD36 in white blood cells (WBCs) with the plasma levels of advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) and different diabetic complications.METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 78 patients with diabetic complications. The levels of plasma AGEs were determined by using spectrofluorimetry. RNA in WBCs was extracted with Trizol reagent and the mRNA levels of SR-A II and CD36 were determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: In the patients tested, the mRNA level of SR-A Ⅱ was found to be the highest in those with diabetic nephropathy, and lowest in those with fatty liver. The expression of CD36 was found to be the highest in diabetic patients with fatty liver and lowest in those with coronary heart disease. The expression of both receptors in WBCs showed significantly higher levels in diabetic patients with hypertension, and lower in those with cataract. The plasma levels of AGEs negatively correlated with mRNA levels of CD36 (r=-0.89,P<0.01), while positively correlated with SR-A II mRNA levels (r=-0.82, P< 0.05).CONCLUSION: The increased plasma levels of AGEs may stimulate the expression of SR-A II in WBCs, and higher expression of SR-A Ⅱ and CD36 was significantly related to diabetic complications, nephropathy and fatty liver, respectively. However, low expression of CD36 in some diabetic patients with complications might be important causes for their high plasma AGEs levels.