Published online May 10, 2016. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v7.i9.177
Peer-review started: July 30, 2015
First decision: September 16, 2015
Revised: March 23, 2016
Accepted: April 7, 2016
Article in press: April 11, 2016
Published online: May 10, 2016
Processing time: 270 Days and 19.8 Hours
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) as one of the most well-known autoimmune disease, results from the destruction of β-cells in pancreas by autoimmune process. T1DM is fatal without insulin treatment. The expansion of alternative treatment to insulin is a dream to be fulfilled. Currently autoimmunity is considered as main factor in development of T1DM. So manipulation of the immune system can be considered as alternative treatment to insulin. For the past decades, vitamin A has been implicated as an essential dietary micronutrient in regulator of immune function. Despite major advantage in the knowledge of vitamin A biology, patients who present T1DM are at risk for deficiency in vitamin A and carotenoids. Applying such evidences, vitamin A treatment may be the key approach in preventing T1DM.
Core tip: Diet modification and vitamin supplementation is a practical treatment approach for autoimmune diseases. However few broadly studies have been conducted on the use of vitamin A in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Our objective is to consolidate the current literature to better delineate the vitamin A on immune pathway involved in formation of type 1 diabetes.