Elevated plasma levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in NIDDM.
OBJECTIVE
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a potent inducer of extracellular matrix production and of fibrogenesis and has been associated with the occurrence of diabetic micro- and macrovascular complications. Our aim was to determine whether circulating levels of TGF-beta 1 are altered in NIDDM and, if so, whether they are correlated with blood glucose and show an association with diabetic complications.


METHODS
Plasma levels of TGF-beta 1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 44 NIDDM patients and 28 control subjects of comparable age and weight and were correlated with parameters of metabolic control and the occurrence of micro- and macrovascular complications.


RESULTS
TGF-beta 1 was significantly elevated in NIDDM (7.9 +/- 1.0 ng/ml), as compared with control subjects (3.1 +/- 0.4 ng/ml, P < 0.001) and correlated with glycosylated hemoglobin (r2 = 0.42; P < 0.001). Thrombocyte levels of TGF-beta 1 were similar in control subjects (54 +/- 7 pg/ml, n = 16) and diabetic patients (61.6 +/- 18 pg/ml, n = 13; P = 0.357). Elevated TGF-beta 1 levels were associated with retinopathy and neuropathy.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that plasma levels of TGF-beta 1 are elevated in NIDDM patients and may be related to average blood glucose. Preliminary data suggest that they may contribute to the occurrence of diabetic complications.
Pfeiffer
A
A
Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Kliniken Bergmannsheil, Universitätsklinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany. andreas.pfeiffer@rz.ruhr.uni-bochum.de
Middelberg-Bisping
K
K
Drewes
C
C
Schatz
H
H
D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000097:blood; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta