| Author/Editor | Lorini, R; Avanzini, MA; Vitali, L; Cortona, L; d'Annunzio, G; Pignati, P; Severi, F | |
| Title | Increased levels of antibodies to beta-lactoglobulin in children with newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetes and in their non-diabetic siblings | |
| Type | članek | |
| Source | Zdrav Vestn | |
| Vol. and No. | Letnik 63, št. Suppl 1 | |
| Publication year | 1994 | |
| Volume | str. I-17-I-20 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Abstract | Background. It has been a hypothesized that cow's milk may contain a trigger factor for development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Subjects and methods. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of anti-beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) antibodies in IDDM children, at diagnosis and during 2-5 year follow-up, and in their non-diabetic siblings. IgA and IgG antibodies to BLG, determined by ELISA, were evaluated in 45 newly diagnosed IDDM children, aged 1.2-16.6 years and 46 siblings, aged 3.2-28.2 years. Results. At diagnosis 14/45 patients (31 per cent) had elevated IgA antiBLG and 4/45 patients (8.8 per cent) elevated IgG anti-BLG. Over the 25 year follow-up in 26 patients, we observed a transient increase of IgA anti-BLG in 2 other patients. At the end of follow-up IgA antiBLG decreased to normal levels in all but 2 girls and IgG anti-BLG in all patients. No correlation was found between anti-BLG antibodies and chronologic age, breast-feeding duration, islet-cell, anti-insulin or other organ and non-organ-specific antibodies and HLA type. Among the 46 siblings increased levels of IgA and IgG anti-BLG were found in 5 (11 per cent) respectively, without difference between breast- or bottle-fed cases. Conclusion. The increase of anti-BLG antibodies at the onset of IDDM is suggested to represent only transient abnormal immunological response, probably unrelated to the beta cells' damage. The increased anti-BLG antibody levels found in healthy siblings could be associated with increased frequency of autoimmune phenomena in these subjects. | |
| Descriptors | DIABETES MELLITUS, INSULIN-DEPENDENT LACTOGLOBULINS ANTIBODIES CHILD IGA IGG MILK |