Research from University of Malmo has provided new data on type 1 diabetes
March 9th, 2009
2009 MAR 9 -- Data detailed in 'An association between Type 2 diabetes and alpha-antitrypsin deficiency' have been presented. According to recent research from Malmo, Sweden, "Alpha(1)-Antitrypsin (AAT) is a serine protease inhibitor which recently has been shown to prevent Type 1 diabetes development, to prolong islet allograft survival and to inhibit pancreatic B-cell apoptosis in vivo. It has also been reported that Type 1 diabetic patients have significantly lower plasma concentrations of AAT, suggesting the potential role of AAT in the pathogenesis of Type 1 diabetes."
"We have investigated whether plasma AAT levels are altered in Type 2 diabetes. The study included patients with Type 2 diabetes (n=163) and non-diabetic control subjects matched for age, sex and smoking habits (n=158) derived from the population-based Malmö Diet and Cancer study. Plasma samples were analysed for AAT concentration and phenotype and serum glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein and lipid levels were measured. Glycated haemoglobin was also measured. In the diabetic group, the women had higher mean plasma AAT levels than men (p <0.05). The mean plasma AAT levels did not differ between diabetic and control subjects. However, the number of individuals with low AAT levels (<1.0 mg/ml) was 50% higher in the diabetic group (p <0.05) and the frequency of AAT deficiency genotypes was 50% higher (NS) in diabetic compared with control subjects. In the group of diabetic patients with AAT <1 mg/ml, AAT directly correlated with systolic blood pressure (p=0.048) and inversely correlated with waist-hip ratio (p=0.031)," wrote C.S. Sandström and colleagues, University of Malmo.
The researchers concluded: "Our results provide evidence that deficiency of AAT may be associated with an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes."
Sandström and colleagues published their study in Diabetic Medicine (An association between Type 2 diabetes and alpha-antitrypsin deficiency. Diabetic Medicine, 2008;25(11):1370-3).
For additional information, contact C.S. Sandström, University Hospital Malmoe, Chronic and Degenerative Disease Research Unit, Lund University, Malmo, Sweden.
Publisher contact information for the journal Diabetic Medicine is: Blackwell Publishing Inc., 350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148, USA.
