Thrombospondins (TSP) are a group of multifunctional secretion proteins that consist of TSP-1 to TSP-5. TSP-1 is
the first protein member of this family and a homotrimeric glycoprotein with a multifunctional domain. The aim of
this study is to evaluate the level of TSP-1 and its impact on vessels in diabetic patients.
In 2016, 90 diabetic patients were selected from Golestan hospital and Emam Khomeini hospital, they were put into
three different groups; 30 patients (FBS over 126 mg/dL) without a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) (group 1), 30 diabetic
patients (FBS over 126 mg/dL) with a DFU (group 2), 30 people without diabetes or DFU (group 3). In all patients,
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood sugar, and TSP-1 tests were performed.
Results: The mean amount of TSP-1 in group 1, 2, and 3 was 266.85 ± 88.75 ng/mL, 234.87 ± 129.8 ng/mL, and
1570.42 ± 1047.42 ng/mL, respectively. The average level of HbA1c in group 1 was 8%, in group 2 it was 10%, and
in the normal group it was 5%. The results of the statistical tests indicated that there is a significant difference in
TSP-1 level between the diabetic group without DFU and the diabetic group with DFU (p value=0.01).
Conclusion: Lack of TSP-1 expression is accompanied by VEGF high expression and reduction of TGF-Ɓ. Lack
of TGF-Ɓ can cause immunological diseases, inflammation, growth diseases, wound healing reduction, and an
increase in occurrence of tumors. High expression of VEGF leads to excessive proliferation of vessel endothelial
cells. The result of the study indicated that TSP-1 has a significant role in inhibition of angiogenesis. As blood sugar
and HbA1c levels increase, TSP-1 levels decrease, which causes foot ulcers due to vessel complications? However,
these complications can be avoided by controlling diabetes.
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