Horm Metab Res 2007; 39(10): 758-763
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-990288
Clinical Human

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Visfatin, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA Expression is Increased in Mononuclear Cells from Type 2 Diabetic Women

P. C. Tsiotra 1 , C. Tsigos 1 , E. Yfanti 1 , E. Anastasiou 2 , M. Vikentiou 3 , K. Psarra 3 , C. Papasteriades 3 , S. A. Raptis 1
  • 1Hellenic National Center for the Research, Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus and its Complications (H.N.D.C), Athens, Greece
  • 2First Endocrine Section and Diabetes Centre, “Alexandra” Hospital, Athens, Greece
  • 3Department of Immunology and Histocompatibility, “Evangelismos” General Hospital, Athens, Greece
Further Information

Publication History

Received 02.04.2007

Accepted 05.07.2007

Publication Date:
22 October 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Visfatin, is a new adipokine, highly expressed in the visceral fat of both mice and humans. To examine whether visfatin is expressed in human peripheral monocyte-enriched mononuclear cells and whether its expression is altered in type 2 diabetes (DM2), we compared 24 DM2 women [17 overweight (BMI >25) and 7 lean (BMI<25)] to 26 healthy women (14 overweight and 12 lean), all premenopausal. Relative visfatin mRNA levels were significantly higher (approximately 3-fold) in DM2 compared to healthy control women (p<0.02), independently of the presence of overweight/obesity. Mononuclear TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA expression was also elevated in DM2 compared to control women (p=0.001 and p=0.004, respectively), an increase observed in both lean and overweight DM2 women. By contrast, circulating visfatin, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels showed no difference between DM2 and control women, while adiponectin plasma levels were significantly decreased in the DM2 women (p<0.001). Circulating visfatin and TNF-α levels did not differ either between the lean and the overweight subgroups of DM2 and control women, while IL-6 plasma levels were significantly higher in both overweight subgroups compared to their lean counterparts. In conclusion, visfatin, TNF-α, and IL-6 mRNA expressions are increased in peripheral mononuclear-monocytic cells from women with type 2 diabetes, independent of their BMI, which may enhance the effects of their adipose-derived levels and may contribute to the increased insulin resistance and atherogenic risk of these patients.

References

Correspondence

P. C. TsiotraPhD 

Molecular Biology Laboratory

Hellenic National Center for the Research

Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus and its Complications (H.N.D.C)

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