IL-۴ AND INTERFERON GAMMA IN RECENTLY DIAGNOSED TYPE I DIABETES, A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

  Abstract INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to measure serum levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-۴ (IL-۴), the two major cytokines secreted by Th-۱ and Th-۲ cells, in islet cell autoantibody (ICA)-positive, newly-diagnosed type I diabetic patients. methods: The study was conducted on ۳۰ newly diagnosed, ICA-positive type I diabetics and ۳۰ age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Cytokine levels in serum were quantified by indirect sandwich ELISA in pg/ml. results: We observed no significant difference in concentration of IL-۴ in ICA-positive diabetics (median=۱۲۶.۵۳۵) compared with healthy controls (median=۱۳۶.۴۴۰) (P>۰.۰۵). IFN-γ levels were significantly higher in patients (median=۱۱.۳۰۵) compared with healthy controls (median=۸.۲۰۰) (P<۰.۰۵). CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of IFN-γ in patients may be suggestive of its destructive role in the pathophysiology of type I autoimmune diabetes.     Keywords: Type I diabetes mellitus, interleukin-۴ (IL-۴), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), islet cell autoantibody (ICA), T-helper ۱ (Th-۱) response, T-helper ۲ (Th-۲