In order to estimate the role of p53 in the etiology of type II diabetes, p53 was measured in serum using sandwich ELISA technique in 40 subjects divided into 3-groups according to patient diagnosis and 4-groups with respect to HbA1c%. Serum levels of p53 [U/ml] were higher in type II diabetic patients without complication and type II diabetic patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy than control subjects. Also, serum levels of p53 were lower in type II diabetic patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy than diabetic patients without complications. No significant difference appeared between all the studied groups. Also, a statistically non-significant difference was observed in serum levels of p53 in HbA1c% based groups. A statistically significant increase was detected in serum p53 levels when comparing its levels in male with its corresponding levels in female in all studied groups. Alternatively, a statistically non- significant difference appeared in serum p53 levels between groups of the same gender. The results of the current study might reflect a minor role of p53 in the etiology of type II diabetes. Alternatively, it may support the theory of cell- cycle arrest rather than apoptosis.
