School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

8-1-2025

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated whether IL-17A, a pro-inflammatory cytokine associated with Th17 cell activity, reflects distinct stages of type 2 diabetes progression.

Methods: Forty-two obese individuals (average age: 60.4 ± 10.3 years; 55% male; BMI: 31.3 ± 4.9) from Starr County, Texas, were matched for gender and BMI and stratified into five metabolic groups based on fasting blood glucose, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test, and HbA1c levels. Groups included diabetes-free, isolated impaired glucose tolerance, combined glucose impairment, diabetes without complications, and diabetes with lower extremity complications. IL-17A protein levels were quantified from buffy coat samples using ELISA. After excluding samples with undetectable cytokine levels, 22 individuals remained for statistical analysis. The study was approved by the IRBs at UTHealth (HSC-SPH-06-0225) and UTRGV (IRB-22-0273).

Results: IL-17A levels were significantly higher in participants with diabetes without complications (6.10 ± 0.52 pg/mL) compared to those with combined glucose impairment (3.76 ± 1.27 pg/mL; p = 0.0151). Diabetes-free individuals exhibited lower levels (4.52 ± 0.94 pg/mL), while individuals with lower extremity complications receiving oral hypoglycemics and insulin had intermediate levels (4.31 ± 0.49 pg/mL), with no statistically significant difference.

Conclusion: IL-17A appears differentially regulated across stages of dysglycemia, with peak expression during early diabetes and a potential decline in advanced disease. This pattern supports IL-17A as a candidate marker of immune activation during metabolic dysfunction and may aid in identifying high-risk individuals prior to clinical complications. Larger cohorts are needed to confirm these findings and clarify IL-17A’s role in diabetes progression.

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