Circulating immune complexes, immunoglobulin classes (IgG, IgA and IgM) and complement components (C3c, C4 and Factor B) in diabetic Nigerians.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate serum levels of circulating immune complexes (CICs), immunoglobulin classes (IgG, IgA and IgM) and Complement Components (C3c, C4 and Factor B) in Nigerians with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
Case control study.


METHODS
University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.


METHODS
Forty-two subjects with diabetic mellitus (17 Type 1 D. M. and 25 Type 2 D. M.) and 21 apparently healthy control subjects.


METHODS
Serum level of CICs was measured by polyethylene glycol precipitation method while single radial immunodiffusion method was used to measure serum levels of immunoglobulins and complement components.


RESULTS
Only CICs were significantly higher in Type 1 diabetic subjects compared with the controls whereas CICs C3c, C4 and IgM were significantly increased in Type 2 diabetic subjects compared with the controls. The levels of CICs, C3c and IgM were significantly elevated in Type 2 diabetics compared with Type 1 diabetics.


CONCLUSIONS
CIC concentrations may serve as a useful index of depressed host defences usually associated with diabetics mellitus and that humoral immunity is deranged more in Type 2 diabetics compared with Type 1 diabetics. Probably as a result of hyperinsulinaemia associated with insulin resistance.
Akinlade
K S
KS
Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Medicine, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Arinola
O G
OG
Salimonu
L S
LS
Oyeyinka
G O
GO
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015932:Complement C3c / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D011415:Complement Factor B / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D003181:Complement C4; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D015932:Complement C3c; D011415:Complement Factor B