Diabetes Is One of the

Diabetes is one of the most pervasive chronic diseases of this century, already affecting more than 180 million people around the world. As per WHO statistics, by the year 2030 there will be more than 300 million diabetics. The fact that 15 years ago the number of diabetics were only 30 million indicates the pandemic nature of diabetes and the serious healthcare implications in the control and management of the disease. [Katarina Hjelm et.al, 2003] There are three types of diabetes namely type 1 (DM1), type 2 (DM2) and gestational diabetes.

Type1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the degeneration of islet of langerhans and consequent inhibition of insulin synthesis. There is also a rare subtype of type1 diabetes known as idiopathic type1, which has no known cause. Type 2 diabetes is a condition of insulin resistance where the body does not respond properly to insulin. Both genetic and environmental factors are implicated in the onset of diabetes. Though there is no known cure, significant strides have been achieved in better control and management of the disease.

Let us have a brief overview of Type 1 diabetes, its treatment and the recent developments in the management of this chronic condition. Type 1 Diabetes As mentioned above type 1 diabetes is due to insulin deficiency caused by deterioration of the pancreatic ss cells by the body's immune cells. Several studies over the last decade have identified the role of T. lymphocytes in the attack on the pancreatic ss cells.

It is reported that in severe diabetic patients the ss cell mass is decreased to as low as 1% of the size in a normal human being. [George S. Eisenbarth, 2007] A study by Kent et.al (2005) that analyzed the pancreatic lymph nodes from patients with type 1 diabetes revealed T cell receptors and activity of T cells with insulin A chain peptides. [Kent et.al.