COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR INHIBITING ISLET DYSFUNCTION AND AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS

摘要

The invention relates to a composition comprising an amino acid like structure carrying a sulfur moiety and a biologically acceptable carrier for inhibiting islet dysfunction and/or autoimmune disorders. The amino acid like structure carrying a sulfur moiety may be taurine, L-cysteine, L-methionine, or a combination of these. Conditions of islet dysfunction include insulitis, Type 1 diabetes (IDDM), Type 2 diabetes (NIDDM), mature onset diabetes of the young (MODY), and gestational diabetes. Autoimmune disorders include insulitis, Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis and pancreatitis. The composition can be prepared as a pharmaceutical, a nutraceutical, food supplement, maternal supplement, or infant formula to be administered to individuals having or at risk of developing a condition of islet dysfunction or an autoimmune disorder. The composition can act to inhibit islet dysfunction through exerting anti-apoptotic or immunomodulatory activity. Methods are provided for inhibiting islet dysfunction and/or autoimmune disorders by administering an amino acid like structure carrying a sulfur moiety to an individual.