title: Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) levels in otherwise healthy subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Serum transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) level is increased in type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and certain diabetic complications are mediated by this cytokine. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is a prediabetic condition, and confers a risk for the development of certain diabetes-specific complications. However, no data is available regarding the alteration of TGF-β in IGT subjects. Therefore, we aimed to investigate TGF-β levels in otherwise healthy subjects with IGT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty IGT subjects and 30 subjects relatively matched for age, sex and body mass index with normal glucose tolerance were enrolled. Subjects with overt diabetes, cardiovascular, renal or inflammatory disease, or on any medication were excluded. Relevant laboratory examinations were performed by routine methods. Assessment of TGF-β was made by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. IGT and control subjects were compared for their clinical and laboratory parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum TGF-β levels were found to be similar in IGT and normal glucose tolerance subjects (p 〈 0.05). No statistically significant correlation was found between TGF-β and other laboratory parameters, either in IGT subjects or in the whole study population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum TGF-β is not elevated in otherwise healthy subjects with IGT. The results of our study imply that the presence of IGT alone is not sufficient to induce TGF-β elevation; and for the alteration of TGF-β, worsening of metabolic risk factors may be required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Halil
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Genc
authors.forename: Nuri
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Karadurmus
authors.forename: Ucler
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kisa
authors.forename: Serkan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tapan
authors.forename: Ilkin
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Naharci
authors.forename: Alper
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sonmez
authors.forename: Teoman
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dogru
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011236:Prediabetic State / Q000097:blood*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta