Changes in the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids under the influence of various factors in healthy people and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are an important link in the maintenance and normalization of some important body functions. Recently, the metabolic component of the SCFAs effects has also been actively studied; the effect on body weight, insulin resistance and glycemia is of particular interest in the context of the prevention and treatment of carbohydrate metabolism disorders. In this regard, it is relevant to study the characteristics of SCFAs' production in patients with impaired carbohydrate metabolism, mainly with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The purpose of the research was to study the modern data on the synthesis peculiarities of SCFAs in healthy people and patients with impaired carbohydrate metabolism. Material and methods. The data of domestic and foreign literature presented in PubMed, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Elsevier, eLibrary, CyberLeninka databases, published mainly over the past 10 years, have been analyzed. Results. According to the concept of the philometabolic nucleus, bacteria of certain species, which are of the greatest importance compared to the rest, are responsible for the synthesis of specific SCFAs. The gut microbiota (GM) has the property of plasticity - the ability to change its composition under the influence of various factors. Most studies describe the effect of GM and its metabolites on the carbohydrate metabolism, but an equally important aspect of this process is the effect of carbohydrate metabolism disorders on GM and its functional activity. In case of disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, some altered components of homeostasis negatively affect GM and its production of SCFAs. As a result, the total amount and variety of SCFAs decrease, which exacerbate the imbalance in relation to carbohydrate metabolism. There is evidence that in patients with T2DM, the concentration of butyrate, which has a positive effect on insulin resistance, body weight, fasting glycemia and postprandial glycemia, decreases. The concentration of propionate and acetate, which didn't show such a pronounced positive effect in studies on carbohydrate metabolism, on the contrary, increases. Conclusion. The production of SCFAs by GM representatives depends on many factors, such as nutrition, physical activity, medication intake and the presence of chronic diseases. Numerous studies have confirmed the difference in the characteristics of the production of SCFAs in patients with T2DM and healthy people. The study of the peculiarities of GM metabolism in patients with T2DM is a tool in understanding the basics of therapy and lifestyle correction in both patients with T2DM and healthy people in order to prevent disorders of carbohydrate metabolism.