[Immunosuppressive mechanisms in diabetes mellitus]

Abstract

Infectious diseases are common and serious complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperglycemia. The increase of infections in patients with DM is known to depend upon an immunosuppressive condition which is brought about by impaired innate immunity and acquired immunity. For instance, functions of neutrophils such as phagocyte, chemotaxis and cytokine-production are decreased in DM model mouse and hyperglycemia and a Th2-axis shift which reduces Th1-dependent immunity are observed in DM patients. However, the majority of results concerning interaction of hyperglycemia and immune function are controversial and relevance of hyperglycemia and/or hyperinsulinemia to immunosuppressive mechanisms remains unclear.