Effect of the glycemic control on intracellular cytokine production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients

AimsTo evaluate the intracellular production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukine-6 (IL-6), INF-γ, IL-8 and IL-10 in peripheral blood lymphomononuclear cells from type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients, stratified according to the glycemic control.MethodsThirty-five diabetic patients (17 type 1 and 18 type 2) and nine healthy individuals paired to patients in terms of sex and age were studied. Nine patients of each group were on inadequate glycemic controls. Intracellular cytokines were evaluated using flow cytometry. Cell cultures were stimulated with LPS to evaluate TNF-α and IL-6 or with PMA and Ionomycin to evaluate IFN-γ, IL-8 and IL-10 intracellular staining.ResultsThe percentages of CD33+ cells bearing TNF-α and CD3+ cells bearing IL-10 were increased in type 1 diabetic patients with inadequate glycemic control in relation to those with adequate control. In contrast, the percentage of CD3+ cells bearing IL-8 was decreased in type 2 patients under inadequate glycemic control.ConclusionsThe glycemic control is important for the detection of intracellular cytokines, and may contribute towards the susceptibility to infections in diabetic patients.