Aims: It is known that there is a relationship between diabetic complications and chronic inflammation characterized by alterations in circulating acute phase proteins. It has been emphasized that inflammation contributes to diabetic complications and that gliclazide -an antidiabetic sulfonylurea - decreases the development of such complications. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether gliclazide or diet treatment has an effect on serum levels of acute phase reactants, markers of inflammation. Materials and Methods: Fifty-six newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes and 30 clinically healthy subjects were evaluated prospectively. Twenty-six patients were treated with proper diet and daily gliclazide (80 mg/daily) and 30 patients were randomized to only diet therapy for 6 months. After the 6-month therapy, blood was taken from patients and controls and acute phase protein levels were determined. Results: Serum alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, alpha-2 macroglobulin, alpha-1 antitrypsin, and albumin levels did not differ between the gliclazide and control groups. In the diet group, mean serum alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, alpha-2 macroglobulin, and alpha-1 antitrypsin were significantly higher and mean albumin level was significantly lower than the other groups. Glucose, hemoglobin A1C and haptoglobulin levels were significantly higher, whereas transferrin and prealbumin levels were significantly lower in both diet therapy and gliclazide therapy when compared with the control group. Mean C-reactive protein level did not differ between the groups. Conclusions: Levels of acute phase proteins significantly differ in type 2 diabetes when compared with healthy subjects. Gliclazide may provide better control on acute phase proteins.

Aims: It is known that there is a relationship between diabetic complications and chronic inflammation characterized by alterations in circulating acute phase proteins. It has been emphasized that inflammation contributes to diabetic complications and that gliclazide -an antidiabetic sulfonylurea - decreases the development of such complications. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether gliclazide or diet treatment has an effect on serum levels of acute phase reactants, markers of inflammation. Materials and Methods: Fifty-six newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes and 30 clinically healthy subjects were evaluated prospectively. Twenty-six patients were treated with proper diet and daily gliclazide (80 mg/daily) and 30 patients were randomized to only diet therapy for 6 months. After the 6-month therapy, blood was taken from patients and controls and acute phase protein levels were determined. Results: Serum alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, alpha-2 macroglobulin, alpha-1 antitrypsin, and albumin levels did not differ between the gliclazide and control groups. In the diet group, mean serum alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, alpha-2 macroglobulin, and alpha-1 antitrypsin were significantly higher and mean albumin level was significantly lower than the other groups. Glucose, hemoglobin A1C and haptoglobulin levels were significantly higher, whereas transferrin and prealbumin levels were significantly lower in both diet therapy and gliclazide therapy when compared with the control group. Mean C-reactive protein level did not differ between the groups. Conclusions: Levels of acute phase proteins significantly differ in type 2 diabetes when compared with healthy subjects. Gliclazide may provide better control on acute phase proteins.