Claire Holladay Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus - Group 1 April 3, 2013 Introduction The first article discussed the study

in which DNA samples from a sample bank were analyzed for phenotypic variance among three different groups of adults. These samples were needed to see if there was any correlation between low serum levels of vitamin D binding protein and Type 1 diabetes. The second article involved a study that was conducted involving families in both rural and urban areas of Sweden in which families voluntarily participated in the study by sending tap water from their respective area to be tested for certain levels of enterovirus and namely Zinc. Objectives The goal of the first experiment listed was to determine if serum levels of vitamin D and variances in vitamin D binding protein are associated with the incidence of Type 1 diabetes mellitus. The purpose of the second experiment mentioned was to determine if tap water could influence the development of Type 1 diabetes. Materials and Methods In order to study serum levels and VDBP a retrospective study was done looking at a cross section of people of similar age and sex. The sections were divided up into thirds; with the first third being the diabetic group, the second third being the control group, and the last third being relatives of patients who were diabetic. DNA samples of individuals from these groups were used to determine genetic frequencies. The study was performed voluntarily by families who provided tap water samples to be tested for pH, Zinc, Nitrate, Nitrite, and enterovirus RNA. Results Serum levels of VDBP were highest in the second third of the group which was the control group. From there the results yielded that VDBP serum levels were lowest in the diabetic group and that those who had a relative with the autoimmune disease were in between these two groups. From the samples that were analyzed enterovirus was not found. Levels of Zinc were found to be lower in areas with a high rate of Type 1 diabetes. Discussion The retrospective study was able to show that serum VDBP levels are decreased in those individuals with Type 1 diabetes. From the results, it was further discussed that enterovirus could not cause Type 1 diabetes and that tap water which contained lower levels of Zinc was associated with the risk of developing diabetes. References Blanton, D., Han, Z., & Bierschenk, L. (2011). Reduced serum vitamin dbinding protein levels are associated with type 1 diabetes. 1-5. Samuelsson, U., Oikarinen, S., & Hyoty, H. (2010). Low zinc in drinking water is associated with the risk of type 1 diabetes in children. 1-9.