Correlation between the concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective To investigate teh relationship between the serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor alpha and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods We analyzed the serum concentration of TNF α, fasting plasma glucose(FPG), fasting plasma insulin(FINS), renal function and plasma lipids in 144 patients(59 with normal glucose tolerance and 85 type 2 diabetes mellitus). Results The serum concentration of TNF α was significantly higher in type 2 diabetics than that in patients with normal glucose tolerance( P 0.01); there was no dilfference among the male and female diabetics( P 0.05); and there was a correlation between IAI(insulin action index) and serum TNF α( P 0.05 );moreover, HDL C was inversely correlated with serum TNF α concentration. Conclusion The results suggest that increased concentration of tumor necrosis factor alpha may play a role in insulin resistance and the pathogenesis of ita comlications.