Immunologic prevention of IDDM by oral administration of glutamic acid decarboxylase

We have investigated the preventive effects of oral administration of isolated E.coli glutamic acid decarboxylase [GAD] in animal models. Based on our results, the blood glucose levels were reduced by oral administration of GAD to rats 14 days before intraperitoneal injections of streptozocin [40 mg/kg on five consecutive days]. On the other hand, oral administration of GAD to rats before streptozocin treatment significantly [P< 0.05] reduced the levels of GAD - specific antibodies and improved the in vitro proliferative responses of splenocytes to Con A. These data demonstrate that oral GAD administration probably generates active cellular mechanisms that suppress the disease and raise the possibility of using E.coli GAD as a new means for the prevention of autoimmune diabetes