The Mystery of Type 1 Diabetes Unraveled

Type 1 diabetes is increasing three percent per annum globally, according to Eurodiab and WHO registry. Several factors are thought to play a part including increasing recognition of slow onset, non-classical Type 1 in children and LADA (late onset Type 1) in older adults. The possible environmental factors include infectious exposure, Vitamin D deficiency, less exercise and more obesity. Scientists at Scripps Research Institute in the US recently unraveled the forty year old mystery of how certain genetic mutations lead to Type 1 diabetes.

The researchers said their findings could lead to novel therapies for Type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune disease. Three genetic variations in particular (HLA-DQ2, HLA-DQ8, AND HLA-DR0405)- all located in the region of the genome called HLA for “human leukocyte antigen”- are known to increase risk of diabetes.

These three genes encode molecules that present peptides (protein fragments) to the body’s T cells than determine whether the peptide being presented is dangerous and need to be eliminated from the body as in the case of foreign invaders such as bacteria or viruses- or whether the peptides is “self,” part of the host and something the immune system needs to leave alone. However, in the context of Type 1 diabetes, T cells aggressively attack the body’s own cells.

Type 2 is responsible for most of the increase in diabetes with the complications for example, renal failure or severe hypoglycemia.

For many people, Type 2 diabetes can be managed or prevented by a healthy diet and regular exercise. Many people worldwide do not know they have diabetes, and many of those who do know are in poor control of their diabetes. Lifestyle change is still the first option for the treatment for Type 2 diabetes, experts say treating diabetes early and well not only improves quality of life, but is cost-effective, especially if it prevents hospitalization. There is now conclusive evidence that good control of blood glucose levels can substantially reduce the risk of developing complications and slow their progression in all Types of diabetes.