Iranian Journal of Pathology

Differential Expression of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), and Interleukin-1 Beta (IL-1β) in Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes: A Comparative Study of Messenger RNA (mRNA) and Protein Levels

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

Hawraa Fadhel Gaber
Muslim Idan Mohsin

Pathological Analysis Department, Faculty of science, University of Kufa, Kufa, Iraq

https://doi.org/10.30699/ijp.2025.2056657.3433
Abstract
Background & Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the complex interplay between insulin resistance (IR), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and the expression of key inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 100 participants categorized into four groups: IR only (n=30), T2DM without IR (DM-IR, n=20), T2DM with IR (DM+IR, n=20), and healthy controls (HC, n=30). mRNA levels of the cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were quantified using qRT-PCR, and serum protein levels were assessed via ELISA.
Results: Significant upregulation of IL-6 mRNA in PBMCs was observed in the DM+IR and DM-IR groups compared to controls and the IR only group, while serum IL-6 protein was paradoxically lower in DM+IR compared to DM-IR. Both IL-10 mRNA and serum protein levels were elevated in the DM-IR group, suggesting a compensatory anti-inflammatory response, but were downregulated in the DM+IR group. IL-1β showed a similar pattern, with increased mRNA and serum protein in DM-IR and decreased serum protein in DM+IR.
Conclusion: The findings reveal distinct inflammatory cytokine profiles associated with IR and T2DM, highlighting discrepancies between mRNA and protein levels that suggest complex post-transcriptional and translational regulation. These results emphasize the necessity for careful interpretation of cytokine expression in the context of metabolic disorders.

Keywords

interleukin-6
interleukin-10
interleukin-1 beta
diabetes mellitus
insulin resistance
type 2 diabetes mellitus

Subjects

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Iranian Journal of Pathology
Volume 20, Issue 4
Summer 2025
Pages 394-403

  • Receive Date 26 March 2025
  • Revise Date 11 April 2025
  • Accept Date 31 May 2025

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