Related Experiment Videos
Cow's milk and immune-mediated diabetes
1German Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Düsseldorf, Auf'm Hennekamp 65, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society
|January 11, 2000
Summary
Early cow's milk formula exposure is debated for type 1 diabetes risk. While some studies suggest a link, others show no association, indicating complex factors influence autoimmune disease development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Cow's milk-based infant formulas have been hypothesized to increase the risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and other immune-mediated diseases.
- Epidemiological studies and animal models suggest cow's milk proteins might be diabetogenic, but evidence remains inconclusive.
- The gut-associated immune system and oral tolerance mechanisms are increasingly recognized as crucial in autoimmune disease development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the association between early cow's milk exposure and the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus.
- To explore the role of cow's milk proteins and other dietary factors in modulating autoimmune responses and oral tolerance.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological studies in humans examining early infant feeding practices and T1DM risk.
- Analysis of animal models investigating the diabetogenic potential of cow's milk proteins compared to other dietary proteins.
- Examination of evidence regarding the gut-associated immune system, oral tolerance, and influencing factors like breast milk, microbiota, and infections.
Main Results:
- Conflicting evidence exists regarding the association between early cow's milk formula exposure and T1DM risk; some studies show no link.
- In animal models, cow's milk proteins demonstrate modest diabetogenic effects, with wheat or soy proteins inducing higher rates of autoimmune diabetes.
- Disturbed oral tolerance, influenced by factors like breast milk, gut microbiota, and infections, is implicated in autoimmune disease pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- The role of cow's milk proteins in T1DM development is complex and not definitively established.
- Cow's milk proteins may contribute to autoimmunity through epitope mimicry or by disrupting oral tolerance via bioactive peptides.
- Dietary regulation of autoimmunity extends beyond cow's milk to other dietary proteins, highlighting the intricate interplay between diet and immune health.