Acute phase proteins in newly diagnosed diabetics

A cytokine-mediated acute phase response is observed to be closely involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. The role of inflammation in type 1 diabetes is contradictory. Since Indians are at high risk of developing diabetes, we tested this hypothesis by estimating circulating acute phase proteins in both type 1 (T-1) and type 2 (T-2) diabetic patients. The acute phase proteins, α1- antitrypsin, α1- acid glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin and fibrinogen were estimated in the plasma in newly diagnosed 12 T-1 and 25 T-2 cases. Thirty normal controls to match the age and sex of the test groups were also studied. The levels of these proteins were correlated with their BMI and random plasma glucose values. In comparison with the controls, T-1 cases showed significantly higher levels of the acute phase proteins (except α1- acid glycoprotein). The values of all the four proteins studied were significantly elevated in the T-2 patients (p<.00001). Except for ceruloplasmin levels, T-2 cases had significantly higher values when compared to the T-1 cases (p<.00001). Interestingly, no correlation was found with BMI or the degree of hyperglycemia in either of the types. A low grade inflammatory process is definitely implicated in the pathogenesis of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This line of pathological basis should be further explored for diagnosis, management and follow up.