[Plasma levels of interleukin-1beta, interleukin-2 and interleukin-4 in recently diagnosed type 1 diabetic children and their association with beta-pancreatic autoantibodies]. / Niveles plasmáticos de citoquinas IL-1beta, IL2 e IL-4 en niños diabéticos tipo 1 de diagnóstico reciente y su asociación con anticuerpos beta pancreáticos.

BACKGROUND: Type 1 diabetes is an organ specific autoimmune disease whose incidence is increasing worldwide. A functional imbalance in cytokine production resulting in dominance of T helper (Th1) over Th2-type response has been suggested to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. AIM: To measure serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-2 and IL-4 in children with recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes and to evaluate the autoimmune response measuring glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65) and tyrosine phosphatase like (IA-2) autoantibodies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 120 diabetic children and 118 age and gender matched control children, were recruited for this study. Circulating levels of IL-1beta IL-2 and IL-4 were measured by ELISA. GAD65 and IA-2 were measured by RIA. RESULTS: Circulating levels of IL-1beta were elevated in type 1 diabetic children as compared to the control group (9.3 +/- 7.3 and 4.9 +/- 3.8 pg/ml respectively, p=0.01). Serum concentration of IL-2 was also higher in diabetic patients (19.8 +/- 13.1 and 113 +/- 9.1 pg/ml respectively, p=0.01). No differences in serum IL-4 were observed between diabetics and control. Diabetic children with one or two positive autoantibodies (IA-2 and/or GAD65) had significantly higher levels of IL-1beta and IL-2 and lower levels of IL-4 than diabetic children without positive autoantibodies. High concentrations of IL-1beta were associated with an early onset of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of IL-1beta and IL-2 were found in diabetic children with recent diagnosis of the disease. Diabetics with positive antibodies against GAD65 and IA-2 had higher levels of IL-1beta and IL-2 and lower levels of IL-4 than their counterparts without positive antibodies.

[Prevalence of type 2 diabetes and obesity in two Chilean aboriginal populations living in urban zones]. / Prevalencia de diabetes tipo 2 y obesidad en dos poblaciones aborígenes de Chile en ambiente urbano.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is increasing in aboriginal populations in Chile. AIM: To study the prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes and serum lipids in two aboriginal populations, Mapuche and Aymara, that were transferred from a rural to a urban environment. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two groups of subjects over 20 years were analyzed, Mapuche and Aymara. The Mapuche group was formed by 42 men and 105 women, living in four urban communities of Santiago, and an Aymara group formed by 42 men and 118 women, living in Arica, in Northern Chile. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, lipid profile, oral glucose tolerance test, fasting insulin and serum leptin were determined. RESULTS: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 6.9% in Aymara and 8.2% in Mapuche subjects. The frequency of glucose intolerance was similar in both groups, but greater among men. A total blood cholesterol over 200 mg/dl was observed in 43.1% of Aymara and 27.9% of Mapuche subjects (p <0.008). Serum triglycerides over 150 mg/dl were observed in 16.9 and 23.1% of Aymara and Mapuche individuals, respectively (p= NS). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia in turban aboriginal populations is higher than that of their rural counterparts. A possible explanation for these results are changes in lifestyles that come along with urbanization, characterized by a high consumption of saturated fat and refined sugars and a low level of physical activity.

[Bovine serum albumin (BSA) antibodies in children with recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes with breast feeding and milk exposition]. / Anticuerpos anti-albúmina bovina (BSA) en niños diabéticos tipo 1 recién diagnosticados y su asociación con lactancia materna y exposición a leche de vaca.

BACKGROUND: Environmental and genetic factors (viruses, toxins and diet) are involved in the aetiology of type 1 diabetes. Among the dietary factors, the role of breast feeding and exposure to cow's milk proteins deserve special attention. AIM: To determine the anti-BSA-IgG levels in type 1 diabetic children and to analyse the possible association with breast feeding duration, exposure to cow's milk and beta pancreatic auto-antibodies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 161 diabetic children and 144 controls to measure anti-BSA-IgG level, GAD65, IA-2 and ICA autoantibodies. All children answered a questionnaire about dietary habits during infancy. RESULTS: anti-BSA-IgG was positive (using a cut off point of 25.6 ng/ml) in 98% of diabetic children and 0% of the control population. The length of breast feeding or early exposure to cow's milk did not influence the concentration of anti-BSA-IgG. Positive BSA titers did not increase the beta pancreatic reactivity (ICA+, GAD+, IA2+). CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the high frequency of anti-BSA-IgG among diabetic children. However, a specific role in the immunological process of type 1 diabetes cannot be attributed to this protein.

[Frequency of C677T polymorphism of 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) in Chilean mothers of spina bifida cases and controls ]. / Frecuencia del polimorfismo C677T de la 5, 10-metilentetrahidrofolato reductasa (MTHFR) en mujeres chilenas madres de afectados con espina bífida y en controles normales.

BACKGROUND: Several population studies have shown that patients with neural tube defects (NTD), have a higher frequency of a genetic mutation related with thermolability of the enzyme 5,10-metylentetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). There are regional and ethnic variations in the genotypic or allelic frequency of this mutation and its possible relationship with NTD and others congenital anomalies. AIM: To estimate the frequency of the C677T polymorphism of MTHFR in control women and mothers of spina bifida cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 58 blood samples from mothers who had a child diagnosed with spina bifida. A group of 184 healthy mothers matched by age and with no NTD offspring served as controls. We determined the C677T polymorphism on the MTHFR gene by means of PCR and the analysis of the digestion pattern of HinfI restriction enzyme. RESULTS: The genotypic frequencies showed concordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, in controls (p = 0.35), and in mothers of the cases (p = 0.95). The odds ratio to the TT genotype compared with the CC genotype (reference category) was estimated as 1.54 (IC 95%: 0.66-3.61), while the odds ratio for the TC genotype compared with CC genotype was 1.06 (IC 95%: 0.48-2.33). CONCLUSION: No differences in the C677T polymorphism of the MTHFR were observed between mothers who had a child diagnosed with spina bifida and control mothers.