Serum levels of novel anti-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-38 in diabetes patients infected with latent tuberculosis (DM-LTB-3)

IL-38 is a recently discovered, novel anti-inflammatory cytokine, which belongs to the IL-1 beta family. The role played by this cytokine in diabetes-tuberculosis nexus is not known. Serum levels of IL-38, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1 beta in Normal Glucose Tolerance (NGT) and chronic Diabetes (DM) subjects, both with and without latent tuberculosis (LTB) (n = 256) were quantified by ELISA. While, serum levels of IL-38 were significantly reduced, the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1 beta were not altered, in LTB infected diabetes patients. While no significant secretion of IL-38 was detected in the quantiferon supernatant, secretion of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1 beta was significantly reduced in LTB infected diabetes patients. The decreased systemic levels of IL-38 and reduced in vitro secretion of other pro-inflammatory cytokines might represent a crucial pathway associated with diabetes-tuberculosis nexus.

Automated summary

IL-38, a novel anti-inflammatory cytokine, may play a crucial role in the diabetes-tuberculosis nexus.