Highlights:
Children who develop type 1 diabetes show epigenetic changes in their immune system cells before antibodies are detected in their blood, according to the findings of two new studies published in the esteemed Diabetologia and Diabetes Care journals.Type 1 Diabetes - Type 1 diabetes targets insulin-producing cells in the pancreas that control blood sugar
- Most type 1 diabetes cases have genetic risks influenced by environmental factors
- This predicts the onset, severity of type 1 diabetes, and helps find new treatment options
Type 1 diabetes is a disorder in which the immune system improperly targets pancreatic cells known as β cells that produce the hormone insulin, which plays an important role in controlling blood sugar levels and the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
This causes a range of health problems for people with type 1 diabetes, and they become dependent on insulin injections for their survival.
Type 1 Diabetes in Children - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Complications & Treatment
Type 1 diabetes is a condition most common in children in which the pancreas stops producing and releasing the hormone insulin that controls blood sugar levels.
Type 1 diabetes is a condition most common in children in which the pancreas stops producing and releasing the hormone insulin that controls blood sugar levels.
‘Genetic changes controlled by environmental factors serve as markers for monitoring the onset of type 1 diabetes in children and as targets for therapeutics.’
Read More..Tweet it Now
Previous studies have identified numerous genetic risk factors for type 1 diabetes. However, genetic risk factors cannot fully explain the occurrence of type 1 diabetes. Read More..
To explain the more risk factors of type 1 diabetes, researchers have turned to the field of epigenetics, which describes how environmental and lifestyle factors can influence the expression of genes without changing the underlying DNA sequence.
Epigenetics— The New Hope
Type 1 Diabetes - Treatment and Management
An overview of type 1 diabetes, its contributing factors, management and adopting a healthy lifestyle to cope with it.
An overview of type 1 diabetes, its contributing factors, management and adopting a healthy lifestyle to cope with it.
Children’s risk of developing type 1 diabetes is the highest in Finland. The findings of these two studies show that in addition to genetic susceptibility, environmental factors have a great significance for developing diabetes.
Advertisement
Rotavirus Vaccine May Protect Children Against Type 1 Diabetes
Babies who received the recommended dose of rotavirus vaccine are not only protected against stomach flu, but also are protected from developing type 1 diabetes when compared to unvaccinated or partially vaccinated infants.
Babies who received the recommended dose of rotavirus vaccine are not only protected against stomach flu, but also are protected from developing type 1 diabetes when compared to unvaccinated or partially vaccinated infants.
“We uncovered previously unknown, early-onset epigenetic changes. They offer us new opportunities to further develop ways to identify children who have a risk of developing type 1 diabetes even before they get sick”, says Prof.Riitta Lahesmaa, director of Turku Bioscience and a group leader in the InFLAMES research flagship initiative.
Advertisement
Genetic Factors Found to Play Vital Role in Late Onset Type 1 Diabetes
A first study on diabetes and the underlying genetic cause confirms the role of certain genes that predispose one to type 1 diabetes.
A first study on diabetes and the underlying genetic cause confirms the role of certain genes that predispose one to type 1 diabetes.
Earlier disease indicators are needed the most than the antibodies, to detect the risk so that medical professionals could intervene in the disease even sooner. This involves searching for biomarkers indicating type 1 diabetes, and epigenetic changes could be such a biomarker.
These observations on epigenetics are extremely important in the goal to develop methods and tools to prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes in children who are at risk of developing the disease.
Furthermore, the researchers cite studies that have yielded evidence that drugs that alter epigenetic changes could benefit patients with type 1 diabetes.
References:
- Learn the Genetics of Diabetes - https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/genetics-diabetes
- Genetics and Diabetes - https://www.who.int/genomics/about/Diabetis-fin.pdf
- Researcg Spotlight - What Causes Type 1 Diabetes? - https://www.diabetes.org.uk/research/research-round-up/research-spotlight/research-spotlight-what-causes-type-1-diabetes
Source-Medindia
