Metabolism of gut microbiota and its role in state of diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The number of new cases of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications is rapidly increasing and a great amount of cases remains undiagnosed. It demonstrates that improvement of existing methods of treatment can be extremely helpful in present situation. It is known, that one of components of pathogenesis of DM is gut microbiota (GM) and its metabolism. Metabolites of GM include short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), some gases, energy and some low molecular metabolites. From the point of influence on stage of diabetes mellitus SCFA are the most interest. They are not only the main source of energy for colonocytes with antiischemic and protective properties, concerning the gut wall, but they also increase satiety, reduce insulin resistance, improve β-cell function and lead to decrease in body mass. Functions of SCFA are so versatile that they can be mentioned in DM with relative and absolute insulin deficiency as well. Due to its plasticity, GM can change its structure and functions in response to some changes in organism. However, in people with DM these changes are severe and continuous, which makes total amount of microorganisms and their proportion change irreversibly, leading to associated changes in amount of SCFA. Considering the positive effects of SCFA on carbohydrate metabolism, modulation of GM metabolism may occur an efficient addition to antidiabetic therapy. One of the powerful factors, influencing GM, is dietary fiber (DF). They are an energetic substrate for GM, they also maintain pH necessary for GM and regulate food passage in gastrointestinal system. Studying the influence of SCFA on DM and correction of metabolic dysregulation with DF need special attention, as DF and SCFA may become a powerful addition to antidiabetic therapy.