Macrophages (Mp) are implicated in both early and
late phases in type 1 diabetes development. Recent study has
suggested that a balance between reductive Mp (RMp) and
oxidative Mp (OMp) is possible to regulate
TH1/TH2 balance. The aim of this study is to
investigate the redox status of peritoneal Mp and its cytokine
profile during the development of autoimmune diabetes induced by
multiple low-dose streptozotocin in BALB/c mice. Meanwhile, the
polarization of TH1/TH2 of splenocytes or
thymocytes was also examined. We found that peritoneal Mp appeared
as an “incomplete” OMp phenotype with decreased icGSH along with
disease progression. The OMp showed reduced TNF-α, IL-12,
and NO production as well as defective phagocytosis
activity compared to nondiabetic controls; however, there was no
significant difference with IL-6 production. On the other hand,
the levels of IFN-γ or IL-4 of splenocytes in diabetic
mice were significantly higher compared to the control mice. The
ratio of IFN-γ to IL-4 was also higher at the early stage
of diabetes and then declined several weeks later after the
occurrence of diabetes, suggesting a pathogenetic
TH1 phenotype from the beginning gradually to a tendency of TH2
during the development of diabetes. Our results implied that
likely OMp may be relevant in the development of type 1 diabetes;
however, it is not likely the only factor regulating the
TH1H/TH2 balance in MLD-STZ-induced
diabetic mice.