Are estrogens promoting immune modulation and islet protection in type 1 diabetes?

Epidemiological, clinical and experimental evidence suggests that the main female hormone 17 β-estradiol (E2) protects the islet environment against autoimmune and metabolic insults to delay type 1 diabetes (T1D) in humans. Perhaps the most compelling evidence is the observation that T1D is one of the few common autoimmune diseases that does not exhibit a female predominance. In fact, T1D onset is characterized by a male predominance (sex ratio M/F: 1.7).1 The onset of puberty is often associated with a decreased incidence of T1D in girls2,3 who initially retain stronger residual β-cell function (non-fasting C-peptide) than boys.
Source: Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications - Category: Endocrinology Authors: Source Type: research