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-beta 2gpI (a beta 2gpI), 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), a beta 2gpI IgG (r = 0.499, p = 0.000), a beta 2gpI 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 10-15 years (chi(2) = 15.000, p = 0.000) and apoB concentrations were elevated in aoxLDL-positive patients with disease duration 7-10 years (chi(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.