Protection against Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

Cells in our colon produce antimicrobial peptides (peptide antibiotics)  called cathelicidins  that protect us against disease-causing microbes  (pathogens) and can modulate our immune system  against several autoimmune diseases. Scientific studies found that  beta pancreatic cells in healthy mice produce cathelicidins whereas this function was impaired in diabetic rodents.

Since T1D is an autoimmune disease, a  research team coordinated by Julien Diana decided to find out whether cathelicidins   can control type 1 diabetes. They injected diabetic mice with cathelicidins.

"Injecting cathelicidins inhibits the development of pancreatic inflammation and, as such, suppresses the development of autoimmune disease in these mice" states Julien Diana.

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced by good gut bacteria (probiotics) modulates the  production of  cathelicidins.  Given that diabetic mice have  a lower level of short-chain fatty acids compared to healthy mice, the  cathelicidins deficiency in diabetic mice may be due to insufficient SCFA. The team  transferred part of the gut bacteria from healthy mice to diabetic mice, and  thus re-established a normal level of cathelicidin. Meanwhile, the transfer of micro-organisms reduced the occurrence of diabetes. This experiment highlighted the important role good microbes play in the prevention of autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune diabetes.

[Immunity- August 2015]

The above experiment together with other preliminary studies suggested probiotics together with a diet that that encourages growth of these bacteria may be a possible way to protect against Type 1 Diabetes.