How Does the Gut Microbiome Contribute to Diabetes Development: A Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus affects over 6% of the world population and is strongly linked to obesity. Traditional views have attributed obesity to sedentary lifestyles and high-fat diets but emerging evidence implicates gut microbiome dysbiosis as a pivotal factor in type 2 diabetes mellitus onset. High fat diets can impair microbiome health, leading to dysbiosis that triggers metabolic deregulation, insulin resistance, and inflammation. The purpose of this review is to elucidate how alterations in the gut microbiota contribute to type 2 diabetes mellitus development, with a focus on obesity, insulin resistance, and inflammatory pathways.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive review of the literature, integrating findings from clinical trials, preclinical studies, and systematic reviews. Our analysis focused on interventions targeting the gut microbiota, including direct supplementation with short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate, probiotic treatments, and fecal microbiota transplantation. Additionally, we examined dietary strategies to boost butyrate production via increased fiber intake.

Results: Findings across studies consistently reveal a reduction in butyrate producing bacteria correlates with type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic dysregulation. Clinical trials have demonstrated that probiotic interventions, such as the daily consumption of probiotic yogurt, significantly lower fasting blood glucose while enhancing antioxidant defenses. Preclinical research in high fat diet induced obese mice revealed that butyrate supplementation preserves insulin sensitivity, promotes mitochondrial function, and enhances adaptive thermogenesis. Furthermore, specific microbial taxa such as Akkermansia muciniphila exert protective effects.

Discussion: These findings suggest that gut microbiota modulate host metabolism via key signaling pathways. The interactions between dietary factors, microbial composition, and host inflammatory responses highlights the potential for microbiome targeted therapies in type 2 diabetes mellitus management.

Conclusion: Gut targeted interventions including probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation hold promise for improving glycemic control and mitigating insulin resistance. Future research should focus on optimizing these strategies to restore microbial balance, reducing obesity related metabolic derangements and improved long term outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.