The Gut Microbiome as a Target for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

Ömrüm Aydin,Victor Gerdes,Max Nieuwdorp

doi:10.1007/s11892-018-1020-6

Abstract

Purpose of ReviewThe objective of this review is to critically assess the contributing role of the gut microbiota in human obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D).Recent FindingsExperiments in animal and human studies have produced growing evidence for the causality of the gut microbiome in developing obesity and T2D. The introduction of high-throughput sequencing technologies has provided novel insight into the interpersonal differences in microbiome composition and function.SummaryThe intestinal microbiota is known to be associated with metabolic syndrome and related comorbidities. Associated diseases including obesity, T2D, and fatty liver disease (NAFLD/NASH) all seem to be linked to altered microbial composition; however, causality has not been proven yet. Elucidating the potential causal and personalized role of the human gut microbiota in obesity and T2D is highly prioritized.

Highlights

The current obesity pandemic is increasing worldwide, contributing to the rising incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) mellitus
We see an altered gut microbiota in obesity [10] and view the gut microbiota as an environmental factor contributing to adiposity and insulin resistance [11, 12]
The gut microbiota is a collective term for the microbial community in the gut [13], whereas the gut microbiome is defined as the full collection of genes in the gut microbiota

Summary

Introduction

The current obesity pandemic is increasing worldwide, contributing to the rising incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) mellitus. Obesity puts people at risk for developing metabolic syndrome, defined by increased waist circumference, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance [3, 4]. The question arises: if insulin resistance is key in developing T2D, what are the contributing factors in its development? Increasing evidence indicates a fundamental role of excess central adiposity in developing the metabolic syndrome [6]. Underscoring the role of systemic factors maintaining insulin resistance, the search continues and the focus has shifted to the gut microbiota and its systemic properties for the past few years. The gut microbiota has attracted more and more attention as an underlying mechanistic driver in obesity and insulin resistance. We see an altered gut microbiota in obesity [10] and view the gut microbiota as an environmental factor contributing to adiposity and insulin resistance [11, 12]. The gut microbiota is a collective term for the microbial community in the gut [13], whereas the gut microbiome is defined as the full collection of genes in the gut microbiota

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Findings

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