Abstract
Among various models of diabetes, we selected the murine type 1 and type 2 diabetes models, and a diabetes model created by administering alloxan to normal mice through the tail vein. We compared changes in the condition of the animals using changes in body weight and blood sugar as well as cytokine mRNA expression in the pancreas as indices. In the type 1 diabetes model and alloxan-treated groups, Th1 cells were induced, suggesting that cell-mediated immunity was more markedly enhanced than humoral immunity in these mice. On the other hand, in the type 2 diabetes model group, Th2 cells were induced, suggesting that humoral immunity was more markedly enhanced than cell-mediated immunity in this group. This study demonstrated a marked difference of Th1/Th2 cytokine balance in the pancreas between the type 1 and 2 diabetes models.
