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Background:    The auto-immune response leading to type 1 diabetes (T1D) is closely associated with the overproduction of T helper-1 (Th1) cytokines which activate macrophage production of inflammatory mediators such as interleukin (IL)-1beta. The principal aim of this study was to elucidate whether IL-1beta is associated with the development of the inflammatory state of disease and the altered circulating lipid levels in T1D.
    Material/Methods:    Sixty-nine T1D and 74 age-matched non-diabetic (ND) subjects were recruited from the outpatient department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center, Tlemcen, Algeria.
    Results:    The levels of IL-1beta, CRP, HbA1c, CHOL, and LDLc, but not of HDLc, were significantly higher in all T1D subjects than in the ND controls. IL-1beta and CRP were found to be associated with T1D (OR>1). Newly diagnosed T1D subjects exhibited significantly higher IL-1beta, but not CRP, concentrations than controls and long-standing diabetic subjects. TG and HbA1c levels were not statistically different in the two diabetic populations. However, CHOL and LDLc concentrations were significantly higher in long-standing patients than in newly diagnosed ones. HDLc fractions were lower in long-standing patients than in controls and newly diagnosed diabetic subjects. Furthermore, the plasmatic concentrations of IL-1beta, but not of CRP, negatively correlated with CHOL, LDLc, or TG levels and positively with those of CRP in T1D patients.
    Conclusions:    IL-1beta seems to be associated with the type 1 diabetes inflammatory process. Moreover, a reciprocal relationship exists between newly diagnosed and long-standing T1D patients as far as the levels of this cytokine and circulating lipids are concerned.