Would the situation ever occur where someone could develop an allergy to glucose?

Question

And if so what would happen?

Answer 1

It is in theory possible.
Contrary to popular belief, allergies do not necessarily need to be caused by proteins, large organic molecules or pathogens(virus, bacterium or other harmful organisms). Though most are, there are allergies to metals (nickel and copper) and carbohydrates as well (lactose the sugar found in milk). Allergies are caused by immune responses when T helper cells (a type of white blood cell)comes into contact with an antigen (a chemical signature which can be found in any substance including glucose) that it recognises as a "foreign" substance rather than part of your own body. T helper cells have chemical recpetors that when an antigen "fits" into the receptor it initiates an immune response

So the key to whether there is an "allergy" is whether the T cell recognises the anitgen or not. There is an organ located between the lungs and is right beside the heart, it is called the thymus. The thymus is responsible for the maturation of T cells. During T cell maturation, the thymus displays on its surface all the common antigens from substances that are not harmful. The T cells run over the thymus gland and finds one that fits into its chemical receptor. When that happens, chemical signals are sent into the T helper cells causing it to undergo apoptosis(programmed cell death). With the T helper cells against the unharmful substances dead, no immune response is mounted against these common antigens.

It is very very very unlikely for the T helper cells against glucose to be left because glucose is a very common molecule in the bloodstream therefore many will be presented on the thymus. But theoretically according to the normal distribution, however small the chance, there will still be 1 or 2 cases. In which case the baby will survive for the first 3 months when the T helper cells are still immature and are in the process of apoptosis. An immune response is then mounted causing another white blood cell, the macrophage to engulf glucose molecules in the blood stream. The blood will become very viscous and put simply the person dies.

Answer 2

No - but if it did, you'd probably die. An allergic reaction is an immune system response to something foreign. Allergens are typically only to proteins, but glucose is a sugar. Glucose is present in almost all cells in your body, and used by mitochondria to produce energy in the cell, or converted to glycogen for transport to other tissues.

In this case, it would be more of an auto-immune disease, where your immune system is reacting to something that should be there. It's fighting you! Like with any severe allergy to a substance you can't escape, or an auto-immune disorder, the immune system has to be supressed to prevent it from attacking.

Response to Wai Cheung:
While Wai Cheung is correct in adding metal allergies as non-protein based. Just a few corections: 1) the thymus is located at the base of the neck, not next to the heart, and 2) lactose intolerance is a deficiency in activation of the lac-operon which codes for the lactase enzyme which in turn digests lactose (milk sugar). A true milk allergy is protein based, and 3) not all immune responses are t-cell mediated. There are many non-t-cell mediated pathways for mast cell responses.

Answer 3

I have had that issue with lotions and lipsticks that I have used for years and just developed allergies for. Your body and immune system changes over time and there are instances where you develop allergies for things you have enjoyed for years. There is also a possibility that there was a pesticide or preservative on the grapefruit and you were actually allergic to that and not the fruit. Always make sure you have benedryl on hand in case you do come across something you are allergic to so you don't get anaphylaxis (severe reaction that could lead to death).

Answer 4

No. An allergy is a complicated immune response. Our bodies do not develop immunologic responses to things like glucose or water.

Do some research on immune responses, and you'll find that it just can't happen.

Answer 5

Not likely. If that is the case, the person is already dead. Glucose and oxygen are the backbones of life.

Have you seen anyone allergic to oxygen or air ?

Answer 6

No glucose is the form of carbohydrate which is the most fundamental source of energy for metabolic processes.

Answer 7

No. The body requires glucose.

Answer 8

I would think that Glucose (sugar) intollerance (diabetes) which I suppose could be considered an allergy to sugar or glucose

Answer 9

An inability to process and control it maybe,aka Diabetes. It's a basic food fuel, not an irritant.

Answer 10

i donot think it could be allergic what ag could it carry and all bodies recognize it since intrauterine life means before immune system itself be formed it cant be allergic