Some immunological aspects in insulin dependant diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common, chronic, metabolic syndrome characterized by hyperglycemia as a cardinal biochemical feature. Type 1 DM is the most common endocrine- metabolic disorder of childhood and adolescence, with important consequences for physical and emotional development. Individuals with type 1 DM confront serious lifestyle alterations that include an absolute daily requirement for exogenous insulin, the need to monitor their own glucose control, and the need to pay attention to dietary intake. The acute clinical manifestations are due to hypoinsulinemic hyperglycemic ketoacidosis. Autoimmune mechanisms are factors in the genesis of type 1 DM; the long-term complications are related to metabolic disturbances (hyperglycemia) Mandrup-Poulsen et al., (1998).The aim of the present study was detection the role and disturbances of immune system in pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus by assessment of T-cell subsets (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 ratio, CD19, NK cells, HLA DR +ve cells) ratio and the level of anti-islet cell antibodies. Then to determine which population triggers the diabetogenic process to design effective future therapeutic approaches..