Early Warning That A Child Will Develop Diabetes May Be Possible By Monitoring Protein Levels

Georgia Health Sciences University's researchers says decreasing blood levels of a protein that helps control inflammation may be a red flag that could help children avoid type  1 diabetes.  they are also looking at blood levels of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, or IL-1ra, in children being closely followed because their genes put them at risk for type 1 diabetes. They also are looking at diabetic mice missing IL-1ra to see how the protein deficiency affects immune function and destruction of insulin-producing islet beta cells.