Zinc transporter anti-autoantibodies

General Information

Type I diabetes is a metabolic disease that develops as a result of an autoimmune process directed against β-cells of the pancreas. As a result of the autoaggressive process, beta cells are selectively damaged, which is followed by insulin deficiency. In 1988, several types of autoantibodies were identified, including anti-insulin antibodies, protein 2 autoantibodies, glutamate decarboxylase autoantibodies, and anti-insulin antibodies. Zinc transporter ZnT8 antibodies have recently been discovered. 4-7% of patients with type I diabetes are negative for autoantibodies, less than 10% have only 1 biomarker, and approximately 70% have 3-4 biomarkers.

The presence of one or more types of pancreatic autoantibodies is found in 93-96% of patients with type I diabetes, both in adults and children. These antibodies have also been found in relatives of type XNUMX diabetics who are at risk of developing diabetes. These patients are initially misdiagnosed with type II diabetes before they become insulin dependent.

Latent type I diabetes can be distinguished from type II diabetes by detecting one or another type of autoantibodies in the pancreas, among which antibodies against TUT 8 are important.

The risk of developing diabetes in the future can be assessed by detecting any anti-pancreas antibodies in patients with gestational diabetes.

ZnT8 autoantibodies are present in both children and adults with type I diabetes, although they are more common in children.

When is it held? research?

• Differentiate between type I and type II diabetes
• Type I diabetes risk assessment (in the presence of a family history of diabetes or gestational diabetes)
• Determining the need for insulin treatment in adult-onset type I diabetes

Material for examination:  Venous blood

Referral norm: <15.0 IU/ml

A value higher than 15.0 IU/ml is seropositive and may indicate:

• on the diagnostics of type I diabetes
• at high risk of developing diabetes
• On the need to include insulin therapy in the treatment of patients with type I diabetes