Study of α-1 Antitrypsin Serum and its Effects on Chronic Inflammation in Diabete Patients

Pathogenesis of type 2 as well as type1diabetes mellitus is observed to be closely associated with acute phase response which is predominately cytokine-mediated. In this present study I try to test this hypothesis by estimating circulating α1 antitrypsin (AAT) in freshly diagnosed type 1 (T-1), freshly diagnosed type 2(T-2) as well as type 2 diabetic patients under oral hypoglycemic drugs for duration of at least five years. AAT is considered as a prominent member of acute phase protein and very important tools for diagnosis for low grade chronic inflammatory reaction. Thirty normal controls to match the age and sex of the test groups were also studied. The level of this parameter was also correlated with their random plasma glucose values and BMI. The value of AAT significantly elevated in the T-2 patients (p<.00001) in comparison with the controls. In case of T-1 patients the level of AAT found mildly elevate as p value has marginally significant value of 0.0002.  Interestingly in either of the types, no correlation was found with the degree of hyperglycemia or BMI. By the above results and findings is can be definitely postulated that a low grade inflammatory process is surely associated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. But for type 1 diabetic patient the result is contradictory. This can be further explored for further diagnosis, management and follow up.

Keywords:

α1 antitrypsin , acute phase proteins , acute phase reactants , low grade chronic inflammation , Diabetes Mellitus