The levels of Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein, were notably downregulated in the HG, HE, and HGE groups compared to the H group by 37.5% (P < 0.01), 72.8% (P < 0.001), and 77.8% (P < 0.001), respectively (Fig. 1Bc). This evidence concerns the gene BCL2 and hereditary elliptocytosis.