sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and sE-Selectin Levels in Type 1 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to compare soluble levels of adhesion molecules between diabetic patients and controls and to assess their possible association with long-term complications of type 1 diabetes (T1D).

METHODS: Forty-eight patients with T1D and 39 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The plasma level of adhesion molecules was measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique.

RESULTS: Higher sVCAM 1 (soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1) levels correlated with older age of onset of T1D. The plasma level of sICAM 1 (soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1) was significantly increased, while sE selectin was significantly decreased in patients with T1D, compared to controls. There was no significant relationship between these plasma-level variations and the long-term complications of T1D.

CONCLUSION: Although plasma levels of cell adhesion molecules are different in T1D patients and healthy controls, they might not be good candidate markers for prognosis of disease.