Type 2 diabetes affects approximately 530 million adults worldwide, with about 98% of them having this type of diabetes. This condition occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels. Factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes include age, family history, ethnicity, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Researchers have recently turned their attention to the gut microbiome as a possible link to heightened risk for type 2 diabetes. A study conducted by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston identified specific bacterial strains and viruses that can cause functional changes to the gut microbiome correlated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
The study analyzed data from the Microbiome and Cardiometabolic Disease Consortium (MicroCardio), including 8,117 gut microbiome metagenomes from participants in the U.S., China, Israel, and Germany. The research aimed to address the gap in understanding the mechanisms underlying the connection between the gut microbiome and type 2 diabetes. The researchers identified several microbial species, as well as their functions within the gut microbiome, that were linked to the development of type 2 diabetes. Specifically, a strain of the gut microbe Prevotella copri (P.copri) was found to be more commonly present in the gut microbiome of individuals with type 2 diabetes and could produce large amounts of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs).
The study also revealed evidence suggesting that viruses called bacteriophages, which infect bacterial cells, might be driving changes to specific bacterial strains in the gut microbiome and increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes. The researchers found that the functions of bacteria infected by bacteriophages could be related to type 2 diabetes pathology. This novel discovery highlights the potential role of bacteriophages in chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and their impact on changing microbial strains. Daniel (Dong) Wang, MD, ScD, the lead researcher on the study, emphasized the importance of combining a large, diverse population with innovative analytical methods to gain new biological insights.
Gastroenterologist Rudolph Bedford, MD, noted the significance of investigating the gut microbiome and its potential impact on diabetes. He suggested that insulin sensitivity may be regulated by the type of bacteria present in the gut, which are involved in processing foods and byproducts that can affect insulin sensitivity. Bedford highlighted the potential for modulating bacterial flora through interventions like probiotics and dietary modifications to positively regulate the gut microbiome and potentially influence insulin sensitivity. Further research into the effects of probiotics on insulin sensitivity and the gut microbiome may offer insights into preventing and managing type 2 diabetes in at-risk individuals.
The study conducted by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital sheds light on the intricate relationship between the gut microbiome and type 2 diabetes risk. By uncovering specific bacterial strains and viruses that can cause changes in the gut microbiome associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, the study provides valuable insights into potential mechanisms underlying the development of the disease. The findings offer new perspectives on the role of microbial species and their functions within the gut microbiome in shaping individual risk profiles for type 2 diabetes. This research contributes to ongoing efforts to better understand and address the complex interplay between the gut microbiome and metabolic health, with implications for preventive and therapeutic interventions targeting type 2 diabetes.
Moving forward, the researchers involved in this study plan to expand their investigations into other disease areas, utilizing novel analytical approaches to explore mechanisms such as bacteriophages and horizontal gene transfers in the gut microbiome. By delving deeper into the biological pathways encoded by specific microbial strains and understanding how these factors influence inflammation response and insulin resistance at the gut level, the research team aims to generate additional insights into the complex relationship between the gut microbiome and cardiometabolic health. The potential for future studies to build upon these findings and explore the impact of interventions like probiotics on the development and management of type 2 diabetes highlights the promise of ongoing research in this field.
