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| The Role of Environmental Factors in Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus: An Unresolved Issue Meredith R. Kraine and Roland M. Tisch Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina USA Abstract
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of the insulin-secreting ß cells found in the islets of Langerhans. Reduced ß-cell mass results in overt diabetes, requiring lifelong exogenous insulin administration and the possibility of numerous sequelae. Incidence and development of IDDM depend upon a variety of genetic and nongenetic factors. Environmental factors such as chemicals, diet, and infection are suspected to influence the development of disease. This review describes the work performed to date to elucidate the role of these environmental factors in IDDM. Key words: diet, drugs, environmental factors, infectious agents, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. -- Environ Health Perspect 107(suppl 5) :777-781 (1999) . http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/1999/suppl-5/777-781kraine/abstract.html
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