Introduction: The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), a transcriptor factor, regulates immunological and metabolic processes, which are important for carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Various polymorphic forms of PPARgamma may promote diabetes mellitus and diabetic complications.
Aim of the work: The assessment of TNFalpha gene expression in peripheral blood monocytes, serum TNFalpha concentration and anti-GAD and ICA antibodies in relation to the polymorphism Pro12Ala in patients with 2 diabetes.
Patients and methods: 58 patients with type 2 diabetes (average age 59.0 +/- 11 years) and 18 healthy people were examined. The Pro12Ala polymorphism of PPARy gene were assessed using mini-sequence technic SnaPshot [ABIPRISM-310]. The TNFalpha gene expression were estimated using real-time PCR [Applied Bio-systems]. The TNFalpha concentration [Quantikin Immunoassay, R&D Systems] and ICA and GAD antibodies [immunofluorescence method, DRG] were evaluated in venous blood.
Results: A heterozygotous genotype Pro12Ala was estimated in 32 patients and a homozygotous genotype Pro12Pro in 21. Only 6 patients were positive for GAD antibodies and only 6 patients for ICA antibodies. The TNFalpha concentration in serum and the TNFalpha gene expression in monocytes did not refer to the Pro12ala polymorphism of PPARy and neither to antibodies.
Conclusion: 1) The TNFalpha concentration in serum and the TNFalpha gene expression in monocytes do not refer to the Pro12ala polymorphism of PPARgamma in patients with type 2 diabetes. 2) The Pro12Ala genotype do not influence autoimmunologic processes of diabetes.