Interleukin-12 levels in Egyptian children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Type 1 diabetes mellitus [T1DM], arising through a complex interaction of immune, genetic and environmental factors, results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells. Cytokines are critical to the function of both innate and adaptive immune responses. Interleukin-12 p40 production influences T cell response, and may therefore be important in T1DM pathogenesis. To study the changes in IL12 levels in children with T1DM. Fifty T1DM children among those attending diabetes clinic at Zagazig University hospitals, were included in the study. They were 27 males and 23 females [mean age, 9.19 +/- 3.3 years]. Thirty age and sex matched healthy children were serving as a control group. All children were subjected to full history taking, physical examination, complete blood count [CBC], random blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin [HBA1C] and serum IL-12 levels assessed by ELISA. Diabetic children had significantly higher white blood cell count, HBA1C, and IL12 levels than healthy children. While there was no effect of gender on IL12 levels, there were significant increase in IL12 levels in newly diagnosed cases, those with higher body mass index and those who had the poorest glycemic control. Type 1 diabetes is associated with elevation of IL-12 levels. This association is more evident in both newly diagnosed and poorly controlled patients indicating a relevant role of IL-12 in the pathogenesis of the disease

Plasma transforming growth factor beta-1 level in asthmatic children

Airway remodeling is a characteristic feature of asthma. The mechanism of this remodeling is thought to involve Transforming growth factor - beta1 [TGF-beta1]. We compare plasma level of TGF-beta1 among asthmatic patients and healthy children and to evaluate these levels with atopic status. 50 asthmatic patients divided into: 30 asthmatics in between attack and 20 during attack . As regard to atopy they were subdivided into: atopic during and in between attack and non-atopic during and in between attack. Group II [Control group]: this group included 20 healthy volunteers. All subjects were subjected to history taking, chest X-ray, CBC, intra-dermal skin tests, serum level of total IgE and determination of plasma TGF-beta1. There was statistical significant difference between asthmatics and control group, also between asthmatics inbetween attack and control group as regard the mean total leucocytic count. Regarding the mean eosinophilic count, there was extremely statistical significant difference between asthmatics [during and in between attack] with control group, there was statistical significant difference between asthmatic patients inbetween attack and during attack. Regarding the mean neutrophil count there was statistical significant difference in asthmatics compared to the control group, there was no statistical significant difference between asthmatics in between attack and asthmatics during attack. Regarding to serum level of total IgE, there was statistical significant difference between both asthmatic group and the control group. But no statistical significant difference between asthmatic patients in between attack and during attack. Regarding plasma level of TGF beta1, there was significant difference between asthmatic group and the control group, also between asthmatics during and in between attack. The most risky offending allergen was mixed pollens [71.4%], followed by hay dust [61.9%], smoke [57.1%], house dust [47.6%], mixed fungi [38%], cotton [28.5%], wool [19%] and lastly, human hair [9.5%]. There was statistical significant difference as regard the mean total leucocytic and neutrophil count in non- atopic patients compared to atopic patient. Statistical significant difference as regard the mean serum level of total IgE in atopic patients in between attack compared to the other groups. There was also statistical significant difference between both groups of atopic patient, also both groups of non-atopic as regard to serum total IgE. As regard the mean level of plasma TGF beta1, there was statistical significant difference in non-atopic asthmatic patients inbetween attack compared to other groups. There was also statistical significant difference between both groups of atopic and both group of non-atopic patients. This study concludes that patients with non atopic asthma have elevated plasma TGFbeta1 levels that may reflect a post-infective phenomenon that serves to down-regulate the host immune response