Significant association of antiphospholipid antibodies and TNF-alpha: Marker of severe atherogenic profile of patients with type II diabetes mellitus without micro and/or macrovascular complications

Abstract

Objective: In vitro, stimulation of monocytes with antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies resulted in increased secretion of TNF-alpha, but association of aPL with features of diabetes mellitus is not clarified yet. Therefore, we investigated the distribution of anticardiolipin (aCL), anti-β2gpI (aβ2gpI), anti-annexin A5 (aannxA5), and anti-oxLDL (aoxLDL) antibodies, and TNF-alpha in well-formed group of 78 patients with type II diabetes mellitus without vascular complications. Methods: Investigated antibodies and TNF-alpha concentrations were measured by ELISA. Results: Antiphospholipid antibodies were in positive correlation with TNF-alpha concentrations: aCL IgG (r=0.303, p=0.007), aCL IgM (r=0.386, p=0.000), aβ2gpI IgG (r=0.499, p=0.000), aβ2gpI IgM (r=0.462, p=0.000), aanxA5 IgG (r=0.479, p=0.000), aanxA5 IgM (r=0.641, p=0.000), aoxLDL (IgG+IgM, r=0.279, p=0.000). Anticardiolipin-positive and aCL-negative subgroups differed in TNF-alpha concentrations (Mann-Whitney, p=0.032). Significantly elevated LDL concentrations were noticed in aCL-positive patients with disease duration 10-15years (χ 2=15.000, p=0.000) and apoB concentrations were elevated in aoxLDL-positive patients with disease duration 7-10years (χ 2=3.938, p=0.047). Conclusion: Significant association of antiphospholipid antibodies and TNF-alpha might be a marker of severe atherogenic profile (suggested by increased levels of lipids in aPL-positive subgroups) and should be used for the stratification of patients with an increased risk for future deterioration of the disease. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.