الفهرس 
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Abstract
type 1 Diabetes (T1DM) is a multistage T cell-mediated autoimmune disease that causes specific destruction of pancreatic islet beta cells, resulting in a slow and progressive loss of insulin secretion. The disease affects primarily children, and as such it is the most common severe chronic childhood disease. Several pathogenic processes are involved in the development of diabetes.These range from autoimmune destruction of the beta cells of the pancreas with consequent insulin deficiency to abnormalities that result in resistance to insulin action. Cytokines have been reported to be involved in the immunopathology of several autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes .There is evidence that cytokines could have a direct role in β-cell death. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) drives the differentiation of T-lymphocytes towards the Th1 subset, characterized by production of cytokines leading to cell-mediated immunity. In addition, IL-12 is important in immune response to infections. Interleukin-12 p40 production influences T-cell response, and may therefore be important in T1DM pathogenesis.
Objectives: The aim of this work is to assess IL-12 level in children with T1DM and to correlate its role in pathogenesis and etiogenesis.
Patients and methods: Our study was conducted on 50 children with type 1 diabetes mellitus taking insulin compared with 30 healthy children as control from Outpatient Clinic, Pediatric Department, Zagazig University. Diabetic patients and controls were well matched as regards age, sex and anthropometric measurements. Diabetic patients showed significantly higher mean blood glucose, HbA1c, BMI, WBCs and positive family history compared to control.
Results: IL-12 level was significantly higher in cases with T1DM compared to control (23.4 ± 10.79 and 6.2 ± 2.5 pg/ml respectively) (p < 0.001).
However, no gender difference as regard IL-12 level, CBC, RBS and HbA1c in diabetic cases. Diabetic with overweight (higher BMI) showed higher IL-12 level than normal and underweight with p < 0.05. Also, HbA1c% and RBS were significantly higher in overweight than normal and underweight. But, CBC did not differ according to BMI. Diabetic with good metabolic control (HbA1c%,6-7.9%) showed lower level of IL-12 than patient with fair control (HbA1c%,8-9.9) and poor control (HbA1c% ≥ 10) with p < 0.05. Newly diagnosed patient with T1DM less than one year showed significantly higher level of IL-12 level and WBCs when compared to diabetic patient with duration more than one year. IL-12 level was correlated positively with HbA1c ,body mass index and WBCs in T1DM.
Conclusion: type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in while selective destruction of pancreatic islet β cell lead to deficiency in insulin secretion. In the present study, we confirmed the elevation of IL-12 level in type 1 diabetes.