Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus and cow milk: casein variant consumption.

Previously published Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus incidence in 0 to 14-year-old children from 10 countries or areas was compared with the national annual cow milk protein consumption. Countries which were selected for study had appropriate milk protein polymorphism studies, herd breed composition information and low dairy imports from other countries. Total protein consumption did not correlate with diabetes incidence (r = +0.402), but consumption of the beta-casein A1 variant did (r = +0.726). Even more pronounced was the relation between beta-casein (A1+B) consumption and diabetes (r = +0.982). These latter two cow caseins yield a bioactive peptide beta-casomorphin-7 after in vitro digestion with intestinal enzymes whereas the common A2 variant or the corresponding human or goat caseins do not. beta-casomorphin-7 has opioid properties including immunosuppression, which could account for the specificity of the relation between the consumption of some but not all beta-casein variants and diabetes incidence.

A combined casein-free-nicotinamide diet prevents diabetes in the NOD mouse with minimum insulitis.

We have previously shown that diabetes in the NOD mouse can be prevented if mice are placed from weaning on an infant formula diet in which the protein source is replaced with casein hydrolysate (Pregestimil) or soy protein (Prosobee), or if 1% nicotinamide is given in the drinking water. Nicotinamide somewhat suppresses insulitis but the hydrolysed casein formula does not. In this study, Prosobee was given concurrently with oral nicotinamide from weaning and their effects on the development of insulitis and diabetes measured. These effects were also assessed in mice given Prosobee alone from conception (day -20) or from weaning. Unlike the earlier experiments, a marked suppression of insulitis was observed when the diets and nicotinamide were given concurrently (mean insulitis scores +95% confidence intervals (back transformed): day 40 = 0.4% [0.03, 1.17] vs. 12.5% [2.52, 28.40] and at day 90 = 8.8% [3.65, 15.68] vs. 48.1% [33.89, 62.49], P = 0.0001). A similar suppression was observed on day 90 with Pregestimil combined with nicotinamide 7.3% [3.88, 11.70] vs. 43.8% [32.59, 55.35] (P = 0.0001). Qualitatively, introduction of Prosobee from conception appeared to elicit a greater degree of suppression of insulitis than when introduced from day 21. Insulitis lesions were examined immunohistochemically for CD4, CD8 and MAC-1 cells. The proportion of these cells was not different for any regime despite the great differences in total number of inflammatory cells in and around the islets of mice fed the combined diet. All the three dietary treatments (Prosobee from day -20, Prosobee from day 21, Prosobee+nicotinamide from day 21) resulted in substantial protection from diabetes in mice followed until 250 days. We conclude that the complete prevention of diabetes in the NOD mouse fed a casein-free diet together with nicotinamide is accompanied by marked inhibition of insulitis, which is not seen when either dietary agent is introduced alone. The somewhat greater suppression of insulitis in mice given the soy diet from conception compared to those fed from day 21 may indicate that even maternal diet during gestation may influence diabetes outcome in the offspring.

First phase insulin release in the non-obese diabetic mouse: correlation with insulitis, beta cell number and autoantibodies.

The ontogenic variation of beta cell function and its relationship with the degree of islet damage and levels of autoantibodies have been studied in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model. We conducted in vivo first phase insulin release (FPIR) in response to intravenous glucose and studied its correlation with the degree of insulitis, islet cell antibody (ICA) and insulin autoantibody (IAA) levels in female NOD mice cross-sectionally at days 40 (n = 19), 90 (n = 21), 150-160 (n = 21) and day 250 (n = 20). The mean +/- SEM FPIR values showed an age-related decline from day 40 (46.2 +/- 5.3 microU/ml) to day 150-160 (17.8 +/- 2.5 microU/ml) and then doubled at day 250 (34.5 +/- 5 microU/ml), while the mean +/- SEM insulitis scores increased progressively until day 150-160 (61.7 +/- 6.1%) and then declined slightly at day 250 to 50.2 +/- 6.2%. In female NOD mice with spontaneous diabetes (n = 4) and streptozotocin-induced diabetic Swiss mice (n = 5) FPIR was either absent or greatly attenuated. A statistically significant inverse correlation between FPIR and insulitis was found among NOD mice at days 90 (P = 0.02; r = -0.52) and 150-160 (P = 0.03; r = -0.48). However, no statistically significant correlation was observed at days 40 and 250. Morphometric techniques applied to day 150-160 pancreatic sections showed a statistically significant negative correlation between insulitis and beta cell number per unit area of islet tissue (P = 0.0001; r = - 0.75). At this age some islet beta cells showed different intensities of staining by immunofluorescence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An immunocytochemical study of endocrine cell development in the early fetal guinea pig pancreas.

The presence of insulin, glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide, and somatostatin containing cells and their ontogenic changes were investigated immunocytochemically in the early fetal pancreas of the guinea pig (Days 25-40). In the earliest tissues examined (Day 25 and Day 30) brightly staining glucagon cells were the most predominant endocrine cell population, followed by slightly fewer and weaker staining pancreatic polypeptide cells. Insulin and somatostatin immunoreactive cells were less numerous. At Day 25 all endocrine cells were located within the pancreatic tubules where some glucagon cells also coexpressed insulin. Similar dual immunoreactivity was present at Day 30. At Day 25 some of the pancreatic polypeptide cells also showed coexpression of somatostatin which persisted until Days 35-40. At these later stages insulin and somatostatin cells were increasingly frequent. Glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide cells were also conspicuous. The four endocrine cell types were found either in the pancreatic tubules or in the developing islets where they began to acquire an adult-like topographic distribution. These studies in the fetal guinea pig show that the four islet hormonal cells cytodifferentiate from an early stage. A small proportion of endocrine cells coexpress either insulin and glucagon or pancreatic polypeptide and somatostatin.

Early nicotinamide treatment in the NOD mouse: effects on diabetes and insulitis suppression and autoantibody levels.

Nicotinamide, a vitamin B group substance, has previously been shown to prevent diabetes and suppress insulitis in the NOD mouse. In order to further understand its mode of action, we have administered the vitamin orally to female NOD mice from weaning and have examined its effect cross-sectionally (days 40, 106 and 250) on the severity of insulitis, changes in T cell subpopulations, levels of islet cell antibodies (ICA) and insulin autoantibodies (IAA) and diabetes development. At day 40, the incidence and severity of insulitis were much lower in the nicotinamide group (n = 22) than in the control mice (n = 21; 23.8% versus 57.1%, 2.9 +/- 1.4% versus 9.6 +/- 2.6%, respectively). At day 106, the incidence of insulitis increased to 82% in the nicotinamide group (n = 11) and remained similar at day 250 (n = 14). At these two age groups all control mice developed insulitis. The insulitis score increased to about 20% at day 106 in the nicotinamide mice and remained the same at day 250. In the control animals, this score increased from 9.6 +/- 2.6% at day 40 to about 33% and 60% at days 106 and 250, respectively. Diabetes was not detected in the 14 animals maintained on nicotinamide while 4/14 control mice developed the disease with severe insulitis. Most of the immune cells infiltrating the islets were T cells, with higher numbers of L3T4 than Lyt2 cells. At days 40 and 106, the L3T4:Lyt2 cell ratios remained unchanged in both the nicotinamide and control groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ontogeny of islet cell antibodies, insulin autoantibodies and insulitis in the non-obese diabetic mouse.

The predictive value of insulitis, islet cell cytoplasmic antibodies and insulin autoantibodies for insulin-dependent diabetes was studied in young female non-obese diabetic mice. The ontogeny of the three markers was examined cross-sectionally at days 15, 25, 40 and 90 while islet cell antibodies and insulin autoantibodies were studied longitudinally from day 35 or day 144-168 until approximately day 250. Insulitis was first observed at day 40 (50%) and subsequently at day 90 (70%). Islet cell antibodies and insulin autoantibodies were present at day 15 in 46% and 54% of the animals respectively. The rate of islet cell antibodies was slightly higher at day 25 (60%) than at day 40 (40%) and day 90 (54%) whereas antibodies to insulin were present in all samples from day 25-90. At day 40 and day 90 insulitis and insulin autoantibodies were present together in 42% and 70% of the animals, respectively, while insulitis and islet cell antibodies had a lower rate of concordance (17% and 42%, respectively; diabetes rate, 30%). The concordance rates for islet cell antibodies and insulin autoantibodies were 42% at day 40 and 54% at day 90. Concordance for all three markers was first observed at day 40 (17%) which increased to 38% at day 90. In longitudinal studies, islet cell antibodies and insulin autoantibodies were often present together whether or not diabetes supervened. In the islet cell antibody procedure, immunoreactive cells were shown immunohistochemically to correspond with insulin and/or glucagon cells. However, this staining was not suppressible with insulin- or glucagon- absorbed sera, implying the presence of non-hormonal autoantigens. We conclude that the three markers investigated are expressed early after birth and well before clinical symptoms appear in this animal model. Both islet cell antibodies and insulin autoantibodies preceded insulitis but the prevalence rate for each marker or their degree of concordance was different from the anticipated rate of diabetes in our colony. Consequently, the early expression of the three markers alone is not predictive of diabetes although concordance for the two, or all three markers may be of some value. However, no animal developed diabetes without the prior appearance of both islet cell antibodies and insulin autoantibodies.

An immunofluorescent study of insulin-, glucagon-, pancreatic polypeptide- and somatostatin-containing cells in the early ovine fetal pancreas.

Using antisera to insulin, glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and somatostatin, the localization and cellular distribution of the four hormones were investigated in the sheep fetal pancreas of day 40-45 gestation by immunofluorescence. All four hormones were immunolocalized at this early gestational period. The endocrine cell types had a characteristic distribution and were present in different numbers. Insulin and glucagon immunoreactive cells were seen in larger numbers compared to fetal PP and somatostatin cells and were located either in the developing islets or as single scattered cells in the epithelium of the embryonic ductules. These cells became more confined to the developing islets at later stages of gestation. In the pancreas of day 40-45 fetuses PP cells were less numerous than glucagon and insulin cells while somatostatin cells were seen rarely. However, PP and somatostatin cells became more numerous at later stages of gestation. Our studies demonstrate the presence of insulin, glucagon, PP and somatostatin within distinct cell types in the early sheep fetal pancreas.

Dietary prevention of diabetes in the non-obese diabetic mouse.

Diabetes prone NOD female mice were fed diets containing different proteins from just before weaning. Only mice receiving meat meal or casein as the protein source developed diabetes at the rate expected from this colony. Lactalbumin and gluten did not precipitate diabetes except in a small number. Casein hydrolysate in lieu of protein protects against overt diabetes, but only if introduced early. The animals which did not show overt diabetes nevertheless had intermittent trace glycosuria and the majority showed mild degrees of periinsular lymphocytic infiltration.

Longitudinal study of first phase insulin release in the BB rat.

First phase insulin release was measured in response to intravenous glucose given weekly from approximately day 40 in 6 BB rats which subsequently developed diabetes and in age-matched non-diabetic (n = 15) and normal Wistar rats (n = 8) until day 180. The mean sequential insulin responses in BB rats with and without diabetes were significantly lower (p = 0.008 and less than 0.0001, respectively) than in normal rats from an early age. Five diabetic BB rats showed a progressive decline in first phase insulin release immediately prior to glycosuria, with the impaired phases ranging from 25-50 days. However, protracted periods of low first phase responses were also seen in several aglycosuric BB rats, which showed histological evidence of insulitis and B-cell loss. Our findings demonstrate that, although most BB rats with diabetes show a progressive impairment of B-cell function preceding the disease, this aberrant phase can also be present in BB rats which remain aglycosuric. Impaired first phase insulin release in response to serial intravenous glucose tolerance tests may not be a reliable predictor of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes in this animal model.

Immunolocalization of insulin, glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide, and somatostatin in the pancreatic islets of the possum, Trichosurus vulpecula.

Antibodies to insulin, glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), and somatostatin were used in the immunofluorescence procedure to demonstrate localization of the four hormones in cells of the pancreatic islets of the brushtailed possum, Trichosurus vulpecula. Most pancreatic islets revealed some differences in the topographical distribution and cell number of each endocrine cell type. Insulin immunoreactive cells were observed in most islets where they occurred as groups of cells peripherally and within the islet. In several islets glucagon cells were the predominant cell population and were distributed peripherally as well as centrally. Pancreatic polypeptide cells were fewer in number and usually occurred as single cells within the islet. Cells immunoreactive to antisomatostatin serum were observed in varying numbers in the peripheral and central regions of the islet. The present immunofluorescence study demonstrates differences in the topographical distribution of the four major pancreatic hormones between a marsupial species and several of the eutherian mammals.

Rat trypsin: purification, radioimmunoassay and age-related serum levels in normal and spontaneously diabetic BB Wistar rats.

A convenient procedure is described for the purification of rat trypsin. Tissue was homogenized and extracted at pH 4 and the soluble fraction purified by a two-step affinity chromatography. After polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 8.8, the purified enzyme was resolved into 1 major and 2 minor bands all of which possessed trypsin-like enzyme activity. Antibodies to rat trypsin were raised in rabbits and utilized in establishing a sensitive radioimmunoassay procedure for the enzyme. The assay was adapted to study the levels of the enzyme in the circulation of normal Wistar and spontaneously diabetic Bio Breeding Wistar rats before onset of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in a longitudinal fashion. In the normal rat, serum levels of immunoreactive trypsin were higher in younger animals and showed a decline after weaning. This pattern was also seen in the Bio Breeding Wistar rats. In about half the number of Bio Breeding Wistar rats, serum immunoreactive trypsin levels were much higher than in normal rats. These results may imply that in some Bio Breeding Wistar rats the disease may be associated with inflammatory lesions of the exocrine pancreas.

Cellular distribution of insulin, glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide hormone and somatostatin in the fetal and adult pancreas of the guinea pig: a comparative immunohistochemical study.

Antibodies to insulin, glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide hormone and somatostatin were utilized to demonstrate the cellular localization of the hormones in pancreatic tissue of fetal guinea pig of advanced gestation by immunofluorescence histochemistry. The topographical distribution of the 4 endocrine cell types was compared with those of the adult pancreas and was found to be significantly different particularly for cells immunostaining for insulin, glucagon and somatostatin. These observations suggest changes in histogenesis of pancreatic endocrine cells during transition from fetal to postnatal and adult life. The presence of the 4 islet hormones in the fetal pancreas of this species implies that they may be important in fetal metabolism and growth.

Study of the localization of [3H]bovine parathyroid hormone in bone by light microscope autoradiography.

Bovine parathyroid hormone labeled with tritium on the methionine residues by [3H]methyl exchange ([3H]bPTH) was administered intravenously to 35-day-old mice and localized in tissues by light microscope autoradiography. After 10 min most of the [3H]bPTH had been taken up from plasma. In the kidney and liver, radioactivity was not displaced by simultaneous administration of unlabeled bPTH, and was as intense after giving oxidized [3H]bPTH ([3H]ox bPTH) as [3H]bPTH, suggesting that binding was largely associated with nonspecific processes. In long bones, [3H]bPTH was bound to osteoblasts and preosteoblasts lining the endosteal and periosteal surfaces of compact bone. In the area of the growth-plate there was intense labeling on new endochondrial bone, and on hypertrophic chondrocytes in the region of calcification. There was little labeling in marrow and, in contrast to other tissues, much reduced binding was seen when a large excess of unlabeled parathyroid hormone was administered together with [3H]bPTH, or when [3H]ox bPTH was given. It is concluded that binding of parathyroid hormone to cells in bone is largely specific, and that the hormone has a function in cartilage which relates to the differentiation and calcification of chondrocytes of the growth-plate that occurs prior to its replacement by new bone tissue.

Indirect [3H]methyl exchange as a general method for labeling methionine residues: application to calcitonin.

Native porcine calcitonin from Armour is known to contain two components. It is shown that these can be separated by cation-exchange chromatography in 8 M urea. The technique of [3H]methyl exchange on the methionine residue was used to prepare each of these in a tritiated form. The reduced components formed by demethylation were found to readily reoxidize at neutral pH, to regenerate the disulfide bridge. Evidence is provided to show that the two forms were partially interconverted during these steps. The reoxidized 3H-labeled products were found to be indistinguishable in chemical, immunological, and biological properties from the equivalent components in native porcine calcitonin and had specific activities of approximately 20 Ci/mmol. It is concluded that this labeling method can be conveniently applied to peptides containing one or more disulfide bridges, to give products of high specific activity in acceptable yield, provided appropriate conditions are used to ensure correct reoxidation occurs.