The intricate association between gut microbiota and development of Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 diabetes

Abstract

It has been proposed that changes in the composition of gut microbiota contribute to the development of diabetes Types 1, 2 and 3 (the latter known as Alzheimer’s disease). The onset of these diseases is affected by complex interactions of genetic and several environmental factors. Alterations in gut microbiota in combination with specific diets can result in increased intestinal permeability leading via a continuous state of low-grade inflammation to the development of insulin resistance. Since a change in composition of gut microbiota is also suggested to be the underlying factor for the development of obesity, it is obvious to link gut microbiota with the pathogenesis of diabetes. In addition, insulin resistance in the brain has been recently associated with Alzheimer’s disease. These new paradigms in combination with data from studies with prebiotics and probiotics may lead to a novel way to control and even prevent diabetes in general.

Keywords::

• Alzheimer’s disease
• diabetes Type 1
• diabetes Type 2
• gut microbiota
• inflammation
• insulin resistance
• obesity
• pancreas-specific autoimmune responses
• prebiotics
• probiotics

Financial & competing interests disclosure

No external funding for this study was used. The University College Roosevelt covered all costs associated with the development and the publishing of the present manuscript. The corresponding author had full access to the data and final responsibility for the submission of the publication. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Key issues

• • An altered composition of gut microbiota may result in mucosal and systemic inflammation at least in part due to disrupted gut barrier function.

• • In this inflamed state with aberrant antigen exposure, autoreactive T cells can be activated leading to pancreas-specific autoimmune responses, such as Type 1 diabetes.

• • Inflammation is an important factor in the development of Type 2 diabetes. In addition, gut microbiota contributes to the development of obesity which consequently may result in insulin resistance.

• • Alzheimer’s disease associated with insulin resistance in the brain is also referred to as Type 3 diabetes.

• • Gut microbiota management by administration of prebiotics and/or probiotics as well as lifestyle changes could become novel ways for possible prevention and amelioration of diabetes in general.

Notes

Data taken from [37].