Lactose intolerance is found in 70% of the world-wide population. Lactase activity gradually increases till birth and then,
after the early months of life, it physiologically begins to lessen. In about 30% of the population it remains active also
as an adult due to a mutation: in Europe a substitution of C with T in position 13910 of the lactase gene. Our data show that
CC genotype, associated with lactase non-persistence, is found in type 1 diabetes with a high prevalence of 67%. To evaluate
the “glycaemic-metabolic control” we investigated the glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) values and we noted that there is no
significant difference between CC (non-absorber) and CT/TT (absorber) genotypes of diabetic patients. Glutamic acid decarboxylase
antibodies (GADA) are positive in 58% of diabetic patients with CC genotype: this presence could be linked to the intestinal
membrane hyperpermeability.
Keywords Lactose intolerance - Lactase persistence - Diabetes - C/T (13910)