TNF in type 1 diabetics and glucose control and cardiovascular risk – (08-21-00)

TNF in type 1 diabetics and glucose control and cardiovascular risk

This study points to TNF-alpha as a contributor to the damage done to the pancreas in Type I diabetes. Recall that TNF inhibitors are the new rheumatoid arthritis and now Crohn’s disease drugs. As research gets more and more specific, I truly believe that we will come to find really only a few abnormalities causing most of man’s chronic diseases. TNF-alpha is a perfect example.

Journal of Internal Medicine 248 (1), 67-76 The cytokine TNF-a reveals a complex relationship with diabetes. It is involved in beta-cell damage leading to type 1 diabetes, causes insulin resistance associated with obesity and is of influence in the formation of atherosclerotic vascular lesions. We were interested in the possible association of this cytokine with metabolic control and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 1 diabetes. Our data indicate that TNF-a plasma levels are increased in type 1 diabetes mellitus and reveal a significant association with metabolic long-term control parameters, HbA1c and fructosamine for glycaemic control, and HDL cholesterol for triglyceride metabolism, as well with lipid peroxidation.