Effect of Early-life Gut Mucosal Compromise on Disease Progression in NOD Mice.

Disease expression in spontaneous nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice depends on environmental stimuli such as stress, diet, and gut microbiota composition. We evaluated a brief, early-life gut intervention in which pups were weaned to low-dose dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). We hypothesized that the mucus-reducing effect of this compound and subsequent increased host-bacterial contact would delay disease onset and decrease insulitis due to enhanced oral tolerance.

Diabetes preventive gluten-free diet decreases the number of caecal bacteria in non-obese diabetic mice.

Background: A gluten-free diet reduces the incidence of diabetes mellitus in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, but the mechanism is not known. The aim of this study was to examine the possible influence of the diet on the caecal bacterial flora, which may affect the intestinal physiology and mediate disease prevention.

Methods: Two groups of NOD mice from the age of 3 weeks were fed either a gluten-free diet or a standard diet.