Changes in inflammatory cytokines are related to impaired glucose tolerance in offspring of type 2 diabetic subjects.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine whether levels of inflammatory markers and different cytokines are abnormal in nondiabetic offspring of type 2 diabetic subjects.


METHODS
Cytokine levels were measured in 19 healthy control subjects and 129 offspring of patients with type 2 diabetes (109 with normal glucose tolerance [NGT] and 20 with impaired glucose tolerance [IGT]). Insulin sensitivity was determined with the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, insulin secretion with the intravenous glucose tolerance test, and abdominal fat distribution with computed tomography.


RESULTS
Levels of C-reactive protein and inflammatory cytokines were elevated in nondiabetic offspring of type 2 diabetic subjects. Interleukin (IL)-1beta was increased in the NGT group and decreased in the IGT group. In contrast, levels of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) were increased in both groups. IL-1beta and -Ra levels correlated inversely (P < 0.05) with rates of whole-body glucose uptake and IL-1beta positively with visceral fat mass (P < 0.05) in normoglycemic offspring.


CONCLUSIONS
Nondiabetic offspring of type 2 diabetic subjects have changes in the levels of inflammatory cytokines. The level of IL-1Ra seems to be the most sensitive marker of cytokine response in the pre-diabetic state.
Ruotsalainen
Eija
E
Department of Medicine, University of Kuopio, 70210 Kuopio, Finland.
Salmenniemi
Urpu
U
Vauhkonen
Ilkka
I
Pihlajamäki
Jussi
J
Punnonen
Kari
K
Kainulainen
Sakari
S
Laakso
Markku
M
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents
D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D002097:C-Reactive Protein