INSULIN PROPHYLAXIS IN INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS - IMMUNOLOGICAL RATIONALE AND THERAPEUTIC USE

All the experimental animal models of insulin-dependent diabetes melli tus (IDDM) and preliminary human trials suggest that insulin can be sa fely used not only for immediate therapeutic purposes but also in the prevention of the disease. The mechanism of protection induced by insu lin prophylaxis may include both 'beta-cell rest' and induction of imm unoregulatory processes. Finally, combined therapies involving oral, s ubcutaneous and intravenous routes may be of potential advantage in di sease prevention. Future studies will have to address these issues.