[The interferon status in diabetes mellitus]

The investigation of interferon status in 54 diabetes mellitus patients gave evidence for high levels of blood serum interferon, leukocyte inhibition of alpha-interferon production against moderate synthesis of gamma interferon. More marked alterations in the interferon status were registered in severe insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus complicated by angiopathies and running more than 5 years. Compensation of metabolic processes was not relevant to interferon status. Variations in the levels of alpha- and gamma-interferons in the course ob observation occurred in 30% of the patients.