University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers say they've identified a way to prevent Type I diabetes in rats genetically prone to the disease.
The researchers say the discovery might one day lead to the prevention, and possibly the treatment, of autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes.
Dr. Alessio Fasano discovered the human protein zonulin regulates the permeability of the intestines by controlling the opening and closing of specialized structures that act as gates between cells. When the body produces too much zonulin, the 'gates' open for too long and allow undigested foodstuff, toxins and other bacterial and viral particles access to one's immune system.
That contact, in turn, leads to the production of antibodies that can destroy the insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas among people genetically predisposed to develop Type 1 diabetes.
Fasano also discovered zonulin is produced in very large amounts in people who have autoimmune disorders, such as diabetes, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
The findings are published in the Feb. 22 edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
