Increased monocytic activity and biomarkers of inflammation in patients with type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is associated with increased vascular complications, and monocytes are pivotal cells in atherogenesis. However, there are few data on monocyte function and inflammation in type 1 diabetes. The aim of this study was to compare monocyte function and biomarkers of inflammation in type 1 diabetic subjects without macrovascular disease with that in matched control subjects (n = 52 per group). Fasting blood was obtained for biomarkers of inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP], plasma-soluble cell adhesion molecules [CAMs], monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, nitrotyrosine, CD40 ligand [CD40L], and monocyte function). High-sensitive CRP, soluble intracellular adhesion molecule (sICAM), sCD40L, and nitrotyrosine levels were significantly elevated in type 1 diabetic subjects compared with in control subjects (P < 0.05). Monocyte superoxide anion release was significantly increased in the resting (37%; P < 0.05) and activated state (26%; P < 0.005) in type 1 diabetic compared with in control subjects. Monocyte interleukin (IL)-6 levels were significantly elevated in type 1 diabetic subjects compared with in control subjects in the resting state (51%; P < 0.05) and after lipopolysaccharide activation (31%; P < 0.01). Monocyte IL-1β levels were increased in the activated monocytes in type 1 diabetic compared with in control subjects. There were no significant differences in monocyte tumor necrosis factor levels or adhesion between the two groups. Thus type 1 diabetes is a proinflammatory state, as evidenced by increased levels of monocyte IL-6, superoxide anion, and plasma CRP, sICAM, sCD40L, and nitrotyrosine levels. These results have a major implication on our understanding of the role of inflammation in vasculopathies in type 1 diabetes.