Role of Adiponectin and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha in the Pathogenesis and Evolution of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Children and Adolescents

• Published in: Diagnostics (Basel) Vol. 10; no. 11; p. 945
• Main Authors: Szabo, Csilla Enikő, Man, Oana Iulia, Istrate, Alexandru, Kiss, Eva, Catana, Andreea, Creț, Victoria, Șerban, Radu Sorin, Pop, Ioan Victor
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 13-11-2020; MDPI
• Subjects: adiponectin; Insulin resistance; Laboratories; Mortality; Obesity; tumor necrosis factor-alpha; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; type 1 diabetes mellitus; United States > US; Romania
• ISSN: 2075-4418; 2075-4418
• DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10110945

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a complex condition caused by the destruction of pancreatic beta cells by autoimmune mechanisms. As a result, insulin deficiency and subsequent hyperglycemia occur. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the development of T1DM. The study is designed as an observational case-control study, involving 52 diabetic patients and 66 controls. Z scores for Body Mass Index (BMI), weight, height, and adiponectin and TNF-α serum levels were assessed in both groups. The T1DM group had significantly higher TNF-α levels and a significantly higher proportion of high-risk patients for inflammation based on TNF-α values as compared to the control group, while both groups had statistically similar adiponectin levels and a similar proportion of high/medium-risk patients based on adiponectin values. TNF-α plays a significant role in the pathogenesis and evolution of T1DM and it may represent an additional marker of disease progression, as well as a potential target of immunotherapeutic strategies. In the present study, no statistically significant differences were recorded in adiponectin levels neither in diabetic patients and controls, nor in high/medium severity risk diabetic patients.