Factors influencing induction and reversal of virus induced diabetes

Injection of encephalomyocarditis virus -D strain in SJL/J mice leads to development of diabetes. In order to ascertain various factors involved in this process, effect of age of the host, dose of virus and glucose pretreatment on incidence of diabetes and its possible reversal were studied. Blood and urine glucose levels of control and experimental mice were followed for 6-8 weeks to reveal diabetic and reversal from diabetic state. It is observed that incidence of diabetes is directly proportional to the age of the host and dose of the virus, leading to maximum destruction of beta cells and minimum chances of recovery from the diabetic state. Glucose injection prior to low dose virus inoculation reduced the incidence of diabetes and enhanced the process of reversal of diabetes. The data reveal the importance of age of host, dose of virus, metabolic state of beta cells and residual beta cell mass in recovery and reversal of virus induced.