[Role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in development vascular complications in diabetes].

UNLABELLED

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) play role in the development of diabetic vascular complications. Activation PMN is associated with increased expression of adhesion molecules on the surface those cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of the beta2-integrin (CD11b/CD18) and selectin-L (CD 62l) on the surface of the peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes in type 2 diabetes with vascular complications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was performed in a group of 36 type 2 diabetic patients that were subdivided into three groups: group A (n = 12, mean 56+/-5 years) - diabetes with early nephropathy (microangiopathy), group B (n = 12, mean 55+/-4 years) - diabetes with macroangiopathy, group C (n = 12, mean 56+/-4 years) - diabetes without vascular complications. Healthy individuals (n = 13, 54+/-5 years) who agreed to participate in the study served as controls. The expression of the CD11b antigen and CD62L antigen on the surface of the polymorphonuclear leukocytes was measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

There was a significant increase in the expression of the CD11b antigen on the surface of the peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes from diabetic patient with early nephropathy (group A), when compared with healthy controls (7.8+/-2.4 vs. 3,8+/-0, 6; p<0.001) and diabetic patients without vascular complications (group C) (7.8+/-2,4 vs. 4.7+/-0.9; p<0.05). The expression of the CD11b antigen on the surface of the peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes from diabetic patient without vascular complications (group C) was also higher when compared with control group (4.7+/-0.9 vs. 3.8+/-0.6; p<0.05). The expression of the CD11b antigen was similar on the polymorphonuclear leukocytes from patients with diabetic macroangiopathy and healthy individuals. There was no difference in expression of the CD62L antigen on the surface polymorphonuclear leukocytes in diabetic patients, when compared with control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study show the activation of the peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes in type 2 diabetes. The expression of the CD11b antigen on the surface of the polymorphonuclear leukocytes is increased in patients with early diabetic nephropathy (microangiopathy) and diabetic patients before development vascular complications, suggesting the presence of an increased inflammatory response in these individuals.