Preliminary investigation on Immune-Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes

Objective:To investigate the clinical significance of Th1/Th2 balance of peripheral blood Th cells and of serum high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein(hs-CRP) in type 2 diabetic patients.Methods:Th1/Th2 cells were determined by using the tri-colored fluorescence labeled flow cytometry serum hs-CRP concentrations were determined by ELISA in type 2 diabetic patients (n=60) and the controls (n=25).Results:(1)Th1 cells and Th1/Th2 ratios were significantly reduced in type 2 diabetic patients than the controls (P 0.01 ). There were no any difference in Th2 cells between diabetic patients and the controls (P 0.05 ). Th1 cells negatively correlated with HbA1c (r=-0.688 P 0.01 ). (2) The serum hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in type 2 diabetic patients than in normal controls (P 0.01 ). There was a significant negative correlation between the serum hs-CRP concentrations and IAI (r=-0.38,P0.01). hs-CRP was positively associated with Triglycerides (r=0.33 P 0.05), and BMI (r=0.42,P0.05), and fasting blood glucose (r=0.46,P 0.05).Conclusions:Th1/Th2 unbalance of peripheral Th cells and high levels of hs-CRP might result in the course of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Immune-Inflammation may play an important role in pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus.