The evaluation of IL-12 concentration, PAF-AH, and PLA2 activity in patients with type 1 diabetes treated with intensive insulin therapy

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to evaluate the concentration of interleukin 12 (IL-12), the activity of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) in type 1 diabetes (DM1) patients treated with intensive insulin therapy.Design and methodsStudied parameters were measured in 81 patients, who were subdivided according to the HbA1c value, hsCRP concentration, and presence or absence of late complications.ResultsPAF-AH activity was higher in the DM1 patients versus the control group (P = 0.042). IL-12 concentration was the highest in subgroup with ≥ 3 mg/L hsCRP (P < 0.05). Negative correlations were found for the IL-12 and age of patients and for apo A–I in the subgroup with poor metabolic control. In addition, positive correlation for hsCRP and PAF-AH activity in the subgroup with ≥3 mg/L CRP (P < 0.05) was also found.ConclusionsPAF-AH and IL-12 appear to be implicated in the development of a chronic inflammation in DM1. In addition, our results emphasize a protective role of apo A–I against an increase in IL-12 production.