News

05/11/2008

A germ a day keeps diabetes at bay?

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New JDRF-funded research from the US lends support to the theory that the pristine, germ-free environment that we enjoy in the Western world is leading to increased rates of autoimmune diseases. This is often called the 'hygiene hypothesis' and is gaining ground with new results showing good gut bacteria can prevent type 1 diabetes or reduce its severity.

Scientists found that mice that were kept completely free of bacteria, including good gut flora, had alarmingly high rates of type 1 diabetes. Mice that were fed a variety of intestinal bacteria found in healthy adults had much lower rates of type 1 diabetes. 

 Environmental Effects

JDRF CEO Mike Wilson says that this research suggests changes in our environment are behind the increasing rates of type 1 diabetes.

"We know that type 1 diabetes is caused by a combination of genes and environmental triggers. This research helps build our understanding of the reasons for the increasing numbers of new cases of type 1 diabetes, and suggests there is a certain level of exposure to bacteria that is in fact healthy."

 Researcher Li Wen led a team at Yale University that contributed to the research.

 "Understanding how gut bacteria work on the immune system to influence whether diabetes and other autoimmune diseases occurs is very important," Li said. "This understanding may allow us to design ways to target the immune system through altering the balance of friendly gut bacteria and protect against diabetes."

 Time to put away the disinfectant?

Australian researchers have pointed out that the findings from this study are only relevant to those with a genetic predisposition to diabetes but for the rest of us, the impact of our hygienic world is still being investigated. JDRF International stated that this research provides a new avenue to explore.

 Real life applications of this research are not far off. The researchers suggested that in the future, microbial products could be used to slow or even prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes.

  

  

  

  

  

Labels: autoimmunity, hygiene