<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> This was a private email, being sent to the List with Dr. Reichelt's permission. 3/13/96 7:56 AM From: Kalle Reichelt,[log in to unmask] I would like to draw your attention to a series of papers that link lactalbumin in milk ,early exposure to this protein, the formation of antiboides and subsequent autoimmunity as a possible cause of diabetes mellitus( insulin needy diabetes) (1-4). Because peptides are the actual epitopes or immunolgically critical signals cut out from foreign proteins and presented to immunecompetent cells for antibody formation(5); it is easy to envision molecular mimicry with cross reactivity towards endogenous proteins etc. In the case of diabetes it is thought that the antibody formed against a peptide from lactalbumin cross reacts with an acute phase protein induced by eg.infections, on the surface of the beta-cells in the pancreas. This causes their destruction. There is an increase in autoimmune diseases in celiacs.(6) 1: Martin JM et al (1991) Milk proteins inthe etiology of Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Annal of med 23:447-452. 2:Karjalainen J et al 81992) Bovine albumin peptide as a possible trigger of insulin-dependent doabetes mellitus. New Eng j Med 327: 302-307 3:Dahl-J|rgensen K.et al (1991)Relationship between cow's milk consumption and incidence of IDDM in childhood . Diabetes care 14: 1081-1083. 4:Shanahan F et al (1982) Coeliac disease and Diabetes mellitus: A study of 24 patients with HLA typing Quaterly J Med (New series) LI,Nom 203, 329-335. 5:Janeway CA (1993) How the Immune system recognizes invaders.Scientific American 269: 40-47. 6: Cooper BT et al (1978) Coeliac disease and immunological disorders, Brit med J 1: 537-539. All the best Cheers TINY K. Reichelt Pediatric Research Institute N-0027 Oslo, Norway Tel: +47 22 86 90 45 Fax: +47 22 86 91 17 E-mail: [log in to unmask]