Image: Madeleine Price BallA study recently published in PLOS ONE provides evidence that type I diabetes is more frequent and occurs earlier in mice on a gluten-containing diet.
Key terms:
T1D – Type I diabetes
NOD mice - non-obese diabetic mice
microbiota, microbiome – symbiotic microbes, in this case, the ones in our gut
The key statements from the study's conclusions are highlighted:
"Based on this observation and our findings, we could propose that gluten could contribute to the pathogenesis of T1D in the NOD mouse by decreasing Akkermansia, a genus of GIT microbiota that protects against T1D."
"Alternatively, gluten-containing diets may promote 'pathogenic or diabetogenic' bacteria."
"Further experiments are needed to prove these possibilities."
"In conclusion, we have shown that gluten-free diets significantly delay the onset as well as reduce the overall incidence of spontaneous T1D in NOD mice."
"Gut microbiomes from mice fed gluten-free diets was distinct from those of mice fed diabetogenic, gluten-containing diets. Therefore, gluten could contribute to the pathogenesis of T1D by modulating the gut microflora."
Source
The study was performed by a team of researchers from:
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota,
- Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota,
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota,
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois,
- Department of Animal & Range Sciences, College of Agriculture, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota