Gut Microbiota Modifications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes 

Researchers found larger amount of gut microbiota in the digestive system of individuals with type 2 diabetes than in those without the disease. 

Gut microbiota is a cluster of microorganisms within the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of humans and animals. Gut microbiotas have an essential relationship with regulation and metabolic functions in the body. They are regulated by different characteristics that affect normal body regulation: “dietary and cultural habits, age, exercise, ethnicity, and genetic,” which vary based on the individual (Almugadam et al., 2020). Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease that involves interference with the body’s natural metabolism of sugar. “T2DM is a widely distributed disease and a leading cause of morbidity, with approximately more than 500 million new cases” (Almugadam et al., 2020). The number of individuals who may develop type 2 diabetes mellitus continues to rise throughout the world. T2DM also has a contributing effect on the production of other diseases within the body. The predicted timeline for type 2 diabetes mellitus poses the need for preventative and therapeutic methods to reduce its spread and the effects of its spread. Research shows a significant correlation between intestinal flora and metabolic complications (Almugadam et al., 2020). It was also found that short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are formed due to carbohydrates that cannot be adequately digested. SCFAs are responsible for helping individuals lose weight and decreasing aversion to insulin intake. This reduction is a typical bodily response due to an individual being overweight. Other factors contributing to insulin resistance surround the “gut ecosystem and immune response” (Almugadam et al., 2020). Essentially, intestinal microflora has a potentially demeaning impact on diseases and health. Gaining more knowledge of microbial ecology provides opportunities to understand its environmental factors. These preventative and therapeutic methods regulate gut microbial flora.  

This study of the effects of gut microbiota modulation to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus was a case-control study conducted at “Namuzaj Center of National Health Insurance Fud Kosti, White Nile State, Sudan” (Almugadam et al., 2020). This study is focused on exploring the relationship between intestinal microbiota in individuals with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus. There was a total of 48 participants included in this study. Of the 48 participants, 24 participants had type 2 diabetes mellitus, and the additional 24 participants did not have T2DM. A thorough investigation was completed on “V3-V4 regions of 16S rRNA gene sequence” (Almugadam et al., 2020). Stool samples from each participant were also collected to obtain a specific gene sequence. Through this analysis, it was discovered that several changes took place regarding the gut microbiota in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.  

Among the 48 participants included within this study, there was no significant difference in categories surrounding gender, education level, marital status, or BMI. It was observed that there was a large amount of gut microbiota in the digestive system of an individual with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared to the participants who did not have a chronic disease. “Anosim test found that the study groups (T2DM and HC) have significantly diverse overall gut microbial flora, P < 0.05″ (Almugadam et al., 2020). Connectedly, information obtained through the “Shannon Index” suggests that those participants without type 2 diabetes mellitus also had smaller amounts of microbial flora within the gut. The evolutionary relationship was reviewed regarding the gene sequence obtained to show that antidiabetic agents improved gut microbiota’s functioning and significantly impacted the body, uncovering their connection to therapeutic and preventative treatment for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.    

Both antidiabetic agents and changes in gut microbiota have significant impacts on individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study also showed antidiabetic agents’ implications on individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and gut microbiota alterations. It was shown that individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus have high amounts of gut changes precisely due to the body’s reaction to large quantities of microbial flora inside of it. This reaction, combined with antidiabetic agents developed to become a preventative and therapeutic treatment, has proven to reduce the harmful effects of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study is of interest because there is a relationship between gut microbiota, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and antidiabetic agents that requires thorough studying. The weaknesses of this study surround the small amount of pre-existing research done on the topic and he low number of participants included. Future studies should use different scientific methods to research the relationship between the varying factors and involve many participants who do and do not have type 2 diabetes. 

Practice Pearls: 

• Gut microbiotas have an essential relationship with regulation and metabolic functions in the body. 
• Small amounts of research were previously performed on the role of gut microbiotas in diabetes. 
• Antidiabetic agents and changes with gut microbiota have a significant impact on individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. 

Almugadam, B., Liu, Alterations of Gut Microbiota in Type 2 Diabetes Individuals and the Confounding Effect of Antidiabetic Agents.  

Shadrielle Robbins, Pharm D. Candidate 2020, South College School of Pharmacy