Endocrine Abstracts

Background and aims: Diabetes is an endocrinological disease with high incidence and important complications. Studies indicate that by 2030, diabetes will affect approximately 366 million people around the world. Neopterin is produced by activated monocyte-macrophages with the induction of interferon gamma and it is accepted as a biomarker of immune activation. Elevated neopterin levels in biological fluids can be observed in neurological, cardiovascular and autoimmune disorders, different types of malignancies and infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible changes of serum and urinary neopterin levels in diabetes patients.

Materials and methods: 36 patients with type I diabetes mellitus, 33 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 30 healthy controls were recruited the study. The patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were further subgrouped according to their drug therapy (15 metformin treatment and 18 metformin + vildagliptin treatment). Serum and urinary neopterin levels were determined by ELISA and HPLC, respectively.

Results: In all groups, serum and urinary neopterin levels were found to be correlated. All groups represented higher neopterin levels compared to controls. Although patient levels were higher, no statistical significance was observed among study groups. The highest levels were observed in metformin medicated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion: The study pointed out that neopterin levels increase in diabetes patients. The change is also possible in different types of diabetes and different antidiabetic agents. Further studies with increased number of patients are required to confirm these results.