The evaluation of IL-12 concentration, PAF-AH, and PLA2 activity in patients with type 1 diabetes treated with intensive insulin therapy

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentration of interleukin 12 (IL-12), the activity of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)), and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) in type 1 diabetes (DM1) patients treated with intensive insulin therapy. Design and methods: Studied parameters were measured in 81 patients, who were subdivided according to the HbA(1)c value, hsCRP concentration, and presence or absence of late complications. Results: PAF-AH activity was higher in the DM1 patients versus the control group (P=0.042). IL-12 concentration was the highest in subgroup with >= 3 mg/L hsCRP (P<0.05). Negative correlations were found for the IL-12 and age of patients and for apo A-1 in the Subgroup with poor metabolic control. In addition, positive correlation for hsCRP and PAF-AH activity in the subgroup with >= 3 rng/L CRP (P<0.05) was also found. Conclusions: PAF-AH and IL-12 appear to be implicated in the development of a chronic inflammation in DM1. In addition, our results emphasize a protective role of apo A-1 against an increase in IL-12 production. (C) 2009 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.