The aim of this study was identification of the immunologic markers
of the damage to the eye apparatus at early stages of diabetes mellitus
(DM) type 1 children. One hundred and eleven children with DM type 1
were divided into two groups: those with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy
(NPDR) and without retinopathy. All the children had their daily urine albumin
excretion, HbA1c, C-peptide measured, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring,
and ophthalmologic examination. Levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12 in serum were measured by ELISA tests (Quantikine High
Sensitivity Human by R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn, USA). The NPDR children
demonstrated a significantly longer duration of the disease in addition to higher HbA1c,
albumin excretion rate, C-reactive protein, systolic blood pressure, as well as
TNF-α and IL-6 levels than those without retinopathy. The logistic regression
revealed that the risk of NPDR was strongly dependent on TNF-α [(OR 4.01; 95%CI 2.01–7.96)]. TNF-α appears to be the most significant predictor among the analyzed parameters
of damage to the eye apparatus. The early introduction of the TNF-α antagonists to the treatment of young patients with DM type 1 who
show high serum activity of the TNF-α may prevent them from development of diabetic retinopathy.