Gluten‐free diet during pregnancy alleviates signs of diabetes and celiac disease in NOD mouse offspring. Issue 4 (15th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Haupt‐Jorgensen, Martin; Larsen, Jesper; Josefsen, Knud; Jørgensen, Tina Z.; Antvorskov, Julie Christine; Hansen, Axel K.; Buschard, Karsten
• Is Part Of: Diabetes/metabolism research and reviews. Volume 34:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-03-15
• Subjects: beta‐cell -- celiac disease -- gluten‐free diet -- islet of Langerhans -- NOD mice -- type 1 diabetes; Diabetes -- Periodicals; Metabolism -- Periodicals; 616.642
• DOI: 10.1002/dmrr.2987
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1520-7552

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Gluten‐free (GF) diet during pregnancy ameliorates autoimmune diabetes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse offspring. Due to comorbidity of celiac disease in type 1 diabetes, we hypothesized that GF diet in utero alleviates the humoral and histopathological signs of celiac disease in NOD mice. We aimed to establish the mechanisms behind the diabetes‐protective effect of GF diet in utero. Methods: Breeding pairs of NOD mice were fed a GF or gluten‐containing standard (STD) diet until parturition. The offspring were nursed by mothers on STD diet and continued on this diet until ages 4 and 13 weeks. Analyses of serum antitissue transglutaminase (anti‐tTG) intestine and islet histology, islet transglutaminase (TG) activity, and cytokine expression in T cells from lymphoid organs were performed. Results: GF versus STD diet in utero led to reduced serum anti‐tTG titre and increased villus‐to‐crypt ratio at both ages. Insulitis along with systemic and local inflammation were decreased, but islet TG activity was unchanged in 13‐week‐old GF mice. These mice had unchanged beta‐cell volumes, but increased islet numbers throughout the prediabetic period. Conclusions: Collectively, GF diet administered during pregnancy improves signs of celiac disease and autoimmune diabetes in the offspring. The diabetes‐ameliorative effect of GF diet in utero is followed by dampening of inflammation, unchanged beta‐cell volume, but increased islet numbers.