Abstract

Background : Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. Patients of diabetes mellitus are managed by two basic drug regimens. Generally type-I diabetes is managed by insulin therapy, while type-II diabetes is treated by oral hypoglycemic agents. Natural Killer (NK) cells being an important member of innate immunity have protective and pathogenic roles. A study was designed to enumerate NK cells in diabetes mellitus patients being treated with insulin and oral hypoglycemic therapy.

Material & Methods : It was a cross sectional study that comprised of 80 patients of diabetes mellitus. They were categorized as group-I (on oral hypoglycemic) and group-II (on insulin); 40 patients in each group. For enumeration of NK cells, blood sample was analyzed by four color FACS caliber, using CD16/CD56 PE, and CD45 PerCP monoclonal antibodies.

Result : Mean±SD of percentage of NK cells of patients on oral hypoglycemic agents was high (11.10±5.66) compared to patients on insulin therapy (9.91±5.08) but on comparison it was not statistically significant (p=0.327). Mean±SD of percentage of NK cells of male diabetic patients was high (12.01±5.84) compared to female diabetic patients (9.48±4.83) and on comparison it was statistically significant (p=0.039).

Conclusion : No significant difference was observed in the percentage of NK cells of diabetes mellitus patients on insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents. However, percentage of NK cells was significantly high in male patients as compared to female patients.

Key words: NK cells, NKT cells, T cells, Diabetes mellitus, oral hypoglycemic agents