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Metabolites Linking the Gut Microbiome with Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

  • Maternal and Childhood Nutrition (AC Wood, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

An increasing body of evidence suggests that the gut microbiome influences the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this review, we will discuss the latest findings regarding the mechanisms linking the gut microbiome and microbial metabolites with T2D and therapeutic approaches based on the gut microbiota for the prevention and treatment of T2D.

Recent Findings

Alterations in the gut microbial composition are associated with the risk of T2D. The gut microbiota can metabolize dietary- and host-derived factors to produce numerous microbial metabolites, which are involved in metabolic processes modulating nutrition and energy harvest, gut barrier function, systemic inflammation, and glucose metabolism.

Summary

Microbial metabolites are important mediators of microbial-host crosstalk impacting host glucose metabolism. Furthermore, microbiome-based interventions may have beneficial effects on glycemic control. Future research is required to develop personalized T2D therapy based on microbial composition and/or metabolites.

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  1. Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Room B-131, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA

    Tiantian Zhu & Mark O. Goodarzi

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Zhu, T., Goodarzi, M.O. Metabolites Linking the Gut Microbiome with Risk for Type 2 Diabetes. Curr Nutr Rep 9, 83–93 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-020-00307-3

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