Concentration of leukocyte elastase in plasma and polymorphonuclear neutrophil extracts in type 2 diabetes

• Published in: Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine Vol. 38; no. 12; p. 1257
• Main Authors: Piwowar, A, Knapik-Kordecka, M, Warwas, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01-12-2000
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Body Mass Index; Case-Control Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - diagnosis; Female; Humans; Leukocyte Elastase - blood; Male; Middle Aged; Neutrophils - enzymology; Pancreatic Elastase - metabolism
• ISSN: 1434-6621
• DOI: 10.1515/CCLM.2000.198

The concentration of leukocyte elastase/alpha1-proteinase inhibitor complexes in plasma and polymorphonuclear neutrophil extracts, and plasma trypsin inhibitory capacity were determined in 88 patients with type 2 diabetes and 47 control subjects. Higher values of these variables were found in patients as compared to controls (p < 0.001). The concentration of elastase was higher in obese patients than in lean ones (p < 0.05 for plasma, p < 0.01 for polymorphonuclear leukocytes). Only leukocyte elastase levels were significantly higher in the group with both micro- and macroangiopathy in comparison to the group with microangiopathy (p < 0.01) or macroangiopathy (p < 0.05) alone. Poor short-term glycaemic control was associated with higher elastase concentration in plasma and neutrophils (p < 0.05). The present study demonstrates that measurements of plasma polymorphonuclear neutrophil elastase level can be considered as a marker of development of diabetic angiopathy.