BCL2 and Hyperglycemia: Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress plays a critical role in apoptosis induction as well as development and progression of DCM.6,7 In this regard, overexpression of the pro-apoptotic Bax gene, downexpression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl2 gene as well as overexpression of the ICAM1 gene expression indicate increased apoptosis in STZ-diabetic myocardium, and have implications for cardiomyocyte apoptosis and the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy.8,9