DIAGEN UPDATES ON DIABETES - August 2024

#newsletter3: UPDATES ON DIABETES

Gut microbiota and type II diabetes

Type II diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels and insufficient insulin action/secretion from pancreatic beta-cells. The incidence of T2D increases worldwide at alarming rates. This disease requires an appropriate clinical management, since a cluster of serious complications may result from an unchecked T2D, as for example hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. Multiple factors interact in a complex network and are involved in the development of T2D. In the past 10 years, the gut microbiota has gained a significant attention as one important player in this network. The gut microbiota includes bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms. Each person maintains the gut microbiota homeostasis that it is very important for the function of multiple organs, immune system and modulation of inflammation. In diabetic patients, it has been reported a “break” in this homeostasis (dysbiosis). For example, 1) a different proportion between obligatory and facultative anaerobic bacteria and 2) reduced diversity of micro-organisms colonizing the gut is observed in T2D patients compared to non-diabetic people. Also, experimental approaches that lead to disruption of gut microbiota homeostasis, or transplantation of fecal matter between healthy and T2D people, clearly affects the composition of gut microbiota and results in changes of metabolic parameters, such as glycemia and insulin resistance. All this reveals a growing link between the gut microbiota and T2D.

The importance of the diet

Several factors determine the composition of the gut microbiota, including genetics, birth delivery method, immune health, stress, medication and diet. Apparently, there is a gut microbiota signature for each person, it has a dynamic and complex composition and can be influenced by those factors mentioned above. Diet plays an important role in the composition of the gut microbiota, and a diet enriched of probiotics (living microorganisms) and prebiotics (food for microorganism) help to maintain a healthy microbiota composition. Consumption of probiotics improves a healthy balance of microorganisms in the gut and ameliorates metabolic parameters in T2D, such as fasting glucose and insulin levels.

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