Gender-based dimorphic pattern for interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Adipose tissue secretes a variety of cytokines, some of which are increased in the serum of obese patients. The anti-inflammatory interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) is the most highly elevated known cytokine in human obesity, and its serum levels are strongly associated with the degree of insulin resistance in non-diabetic patients.


OBJECTIVE
The present study examined serum levels of IL-1Ra in type 2 diabetic patients (T2DM) and their relationships with three other adipokines (leptin, interleukin-6 [IL-6], adiponectin). Their correlation with anthropometric and biochemical variables was examined, as well as their intraindividual fluctuations.


METHODS
Fifty T2DM patients, aged 58+/-13 years, were consecutively recruited among those electively hospitalized for a one-week intensive training course with our Diabetes Education Service. Anthropometric measurements and blood samples were taken after an overnight fast on admission (baseline) and after four days.


RESULTS
Mean serum levels of IL-1Ra and leptin, but not of IL-6 and adiponectin, were significantly higher in women than in men (P<0.0006), and this difference persisted after correction for body mass index (BMI) (P<0.0004). In addition, IL-1Ra and leptin were strongly correlated with the BMI (P<0.0004). By contrast, no significant correlations were observed between IL-1Ra and glucose-control parameters. Finally, all four adipokines exhibited wide interindividual variability, but with limited intraindividual fluctuations over the short time period.


CONCLUSIONS
IL-1Ra, leptin and adiponectin serum levels exhibit marked interindividual variation with high intraindividual consistency. A gender-based dimorphic pattern for IL-1Ra, independent of the degree of adiposity and glucose control, was also found.
Ybarra
J
J
Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i de Sant Pau, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain.
Lehmann
T N O
TN
Golay
A
A
Juge-Aubry
C E
CE
Roux-Lombard
P
P
Dayer
J-M
JM
Meier
C A
CA
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001835:Body Weight; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / Q000097:blood*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D052242:Adiponectin; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D020738:Leptin; C507763:IL1RN protein, human