Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT3747

Introduction: Growing evidence underscores the pivotal role of gut microbiota (GM) in metabolic regulation, systemic inflammation, and insulin resistance, key factors in the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). This systematic review aims to examine the causal relationship between GM composition and T2D, elucidate the underlying mechanisms, and explore potential microbiota-targeted therapeutic strategies for T2D management.

Materials and Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature review across PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar to identify the most relevant studies. After removing duplicates, ten articles were included.

Results: Under normal conditions, the microbiota, particularly the GM, maintains a balanced state, ensuring a harmonious coexistence of its diverse microbial populations. Disruption of this balance leads to dysbiosis. In individuals with type 2 diabetes, GM composition is characterized by dysbiosis, which significantly impacts metabolic health and inflammation. Compared to healthy individuals, T2D patients exhibit notable alterations in their GM profile, including a reduction in beneficial butyrate-producing bacteria such as Faecalibacterium, Clostridium, and Akkermansia, along with an increase in opportunistic species like Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis. The gut microbiota influences the progression of type 2 diabetes by increasing intestinal permeability, allowing harmful molecules such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to enter the bloodstream. This triggers systemic inflammation and disrupts insulin signaling. Additionally, GM alterations lead to changes in metabolite production, including an overproduction of branched-chain amino acids, imidazole propionate, and LPS, alongside a reduction in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) synthesis. Given its critical role, GM modulation is considered a promising therapeutic target. Potential interventions include probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation.

Conclusion: In conclusion, gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the progression of type 2 diabetes (T2D) through various mechanisms. Future research should prioritize refining microbiota-targeted interventions, such as prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, to enhance T2D management and metabolic health.