Background: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of pharmacotherapy of diabetes on atherosclerosis, as reflected in interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 serum levels.
Methods: We studied patients with type 2 diabetes, treated with metformin, insulin combined with metformin and conventional insulin. IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 serum levels were assayed using BD™ Cytometric Bead Array. Multivariate analysis of covariance was performed to exclude the impact of some metabolic and anthropometric factors on differences in cytokines concentrations among the participants receiving different pharmacotherapy.
Results: The serum concentrations of IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly higher and IL-10 serum levels were significantly lower in the insulin-treated group than in other therapeutic groups. Covariance analysis confirmed that differences in IL-1β and IL-6 levels were determined by pharmacotherapy and fasting plasma glucose, whereas in IL-10 levels by the therapy only. Additionally, peptide C modified differences in IL-1β levels and HbA1c in IL-6 concentrations.
Conclusion: This study revealed that both pharmacotherapy and glycemic control may modify some pro-atherogenic factors, such as IL-1β and IL-6. The therapy with metformin and insulin combined with metformin seems to be much more beneficial in terms of their impact on pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion in comparison to conventional insulinotherapy.
© 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.