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Type 1 Diabetes Research Paper

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Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes, is caused by a lack of absolute or relative insulin, in which there is a defect in insulin secretion and/or its action. The hormone insulin is produced by the pancreas and is responsible for regulating blood glucose levels. The pancreas normalizes elevations in blood glucose by lowering its levels by releasing insulin (1). In diabetic persons, the inadequate production of and/or reaction to insulin results in manifestations of hyperglycemia, other metabolic derangements, and long-term damage to blood vessels, eyes, nerves, kidneys, and the heart (2). Consequently, diabetes is a leading cause of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke (3). These conditions experienced by diabetic persons are the result of damage to small vessels, as diabetes increases conditions of hardening and narrowing within the arteries.
In both men and women, diabetes is the most common chronic endocrine disorder (4). Concerns regarding the increase in incidence of diabetes make it a global public health issue of epidemic proportions (5). Globally, more than 347 million people have diabetes, and the world health organization …show more content…

Like many genes HLA-DR and HLA-DQ have a multitude of alternative forms that have arisen by mutation that are specifically classified alleles. Variations of alleles of these genes increase or decrease an individual’s likelihood in developing type 1 diabetes. The DR gene is inherited from both parents. The combination of forms inherited determines an individual’s overall susceptibility, as seen in table 1. DR3 and DR4 are observed in ninety percent of type 1 diabetics, and thirty percent exhibit inheritance of both DR3 and DR4. Thirty-five percent of the general population have DR3 or DR4, and less than three percent possess both

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