Relation of anti DNA antibodies to diabetic complications

Fourty-five insulin dependent diabetics [IDD] and fourty five non-insulin dependent diabetics [NIDD] were studied and compared to 30 healthy controls and to 30 normal subjects with impaired glucose tolerance [IGT] respectively. They were investigated for the relation of serum level of anti-DNA antibodies to diabetes mellitus and its complications. The mean value +/- SD of serum level of anti-DNA antibodies were significantly elevated in IDD compared to healthy controls [141.28 +/- 59.8 Iu/ml vs 77.24 +/- 17.02, P < 0.01] and in NIDD compared to subjects with IGT [110.36 +/- 13.46 Iu/ml vs 80.74 +/- 11.57 Iu/ml, P < 0.01]. Also, its mean values were significantly elevated in diabetics with nephropathy compared to those without [IDD, 168.53 +/- 63.82 Iu/ml vs 100.41 +/- 13.20 Iu/ml, P < 0.05] and [NIDD, 118.54 +/- 9.36 Iu/ml vs 101.01 +/- 11.36 Iu/ml, P < 0.01], and in diabetics with retinopathy compared to those without [IDD, 174.28 +/- 69.01 Iu/ml vs 112.41 +/- 32.27 lu/ml, P < 0.05] and [NIDD, 118.82 +/- 10.08 Iu/ml vs 102.95 +/- 11.86, P < 0.01]. Anti-DNA antibodies were significantly increased in IDD with neuropathy compared to those without [201.35 +/- 62.36 Iu/ml vs 111.25 +/- 28.69 Iu/ml, P < 0.001], while NIDD with neuropathy did not differ significantly from those without. Anti-DNA antibodies correlated significantly positive with duration of diabetes in IDD [r = 0.4742, P < 0.01] and in NIDD [r = 0.8443, P < 0.01]. Also it correlated significantly positive in IDD with both fasting plasma glucose [r = 0.4864, P < 0.05] and 2 hour postprandial glucose [r = 0.6502, P < 0.01]. Meanwhile, significant positive correlation was found with age in NIDD [r = 0.5449, P < 0.01]. Increased anti-DNA serum levels in diabetics especially the old with severe, complicated and longstanding disease represents a consistent association. Additional studies are needed to clarify its pathophysiologic significance