Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2025

Characterization of a Novel Human Organotypic Retinal Culture Technique
Published on: June 9, 2021
Increased Circulating Interleukin Concentrations in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Chang Cao1,2, Jing Yuan1, Elizabeth R Gilbert3
1Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA.
Patients with Type 2 diabetes exhibit elevated levels of circulating interleukins (IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, IL-18) compared to healthy individuals. This meta-analysis confirms a systemic inflammatory response associated with Type 2 diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Diseases
Background:
- Type 2 diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder.
- Systemic inflammation is increasingly recognized as a contributing factor in Type 2 diabetes pathogenesis.
- Circulating interleukin levels may serve as biomarkers for this inflammatory state.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively evaluate circulating interleukin concentration data in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
- To compare interleukin levels between Type 2 diabetes patients and healthy weight controls.
- To investigate the influence of Body Mass Index (BMI) on these associations.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies from PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library.
- Inclusion of 43 studies with data from 2646 Type 2 diabetes patients and 6605 healthy weight controls.
- Random-effects model used to calculate standardized mean differences (Hedge's g) for interleukin concentrations.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher circulating concentrations of IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-18 were found in Type 2 diabetes patients versus controls.
- Elevated IL-6 was observed across all BMI subgroups (obese, overweight, lean) of Type 2 diabetes patients.
- Specific interleukins (IL-4, IL-17, IL-18) showed elevated levels in certain BMI subgroups.
Conclusions:
- Meta-analysis confirms elevated circulating IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-18 in Type 2 diabetes patients.
- These findings strengthen evidence for a systemic inflammatory response in Type 2 diabetes.
- Interleukin profiles may vary based on BMI in Type 2 diabetes patients.
More Related Videos
06:27Accelerated Type 1 Diabetes Induction in Mice by Adoptive Transfer of Diabetogenic CD4+ T Cells
Published on: May 6, 2013
07:22Glycemic Impact on Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms on Physical, Radiographic, and Inflammatory Markers among Individuals Aged 50 and Over with Diabetes
Published on: March 7, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in...
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications