CYTOKINE PLASMA-LEVELS AND LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS IN PATIENTS WITH NEWLY-DIAGNOSED INSULIN-DEPENDENT (TYPE-1) DIABETES-MELLITUS BEFORE AND FOLLOWING INITIAL INSULIN-TREATMENT
Gt. Espersen et al., CYTOKINE PLASMA-LEVELS AND LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS IN PATIENTS WITH NEWLY-DIAGNOSED INSULIN-DEPENDENT (TYPE-1) DIABETES-MELLITUS BEFORE AND FOLLOWING INITIAL INSULIN-TREATMENT, APMIS. Acta pathologica, microbiologica et immunologica Scandinavica, 101(9), 1993, pp. 703-706
Changes in the plasma concentrations of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta),
tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin 2 (IL-2), and lym
phocyte subsets were investigated in 19 persons with newly diagnosed (
type 1) insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) from admission to h
ospital prior to insulin treatment and following 1 week and 1 month of
treatment. Furthermore, the cytokines were measured 16-28 months afte
r the presentation of IDDM. The mean TNFalpha values were all within t
he normal range, but demonstrated a slight increase in all the samples
taken (Friedman 0.06). The mean plasma IL-1beta value was initially a
t the upper normal limit, but gradually increased significantly from a
dmission to hospital to 1 week, 1 month, and 16-28 months afterwards (
Friedman 0.031). No IL-2 activity was detectable in the majority of th
e samples. No significant changes in total leukocyte and lymphocyte co
unts were found. The lymphocyte subsets (CD5+, CD8+, CD4+, CD16+, CD20
+, HLA-DR+) did not show any significant changes from admission to aft
er the start of insulin treatment. It is concluded that the gradual in
crease in IL-1beta and TNFalpha plasma levels may reflect an ongoing a
utoimmune inflammatory reaction at the onset of IDDM.