Gut microbiota and probiotics: Focus on diabetes mellitus.
The characterization of gut microbiota has become an important area of research in several clinical conditions, including type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Changes in the composition and/or metabolic activity of the gut microbiota can contribute to human health. Thus, this review discusses the effects of probiotics and gut microbiota on metabolic control in these individuals. Relevant studies were obtained from electronic databases such as PubMed/Medline and ISI Web of Science. The main probiotics used in these studies belonged to the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. The authors found seven randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials and 13 experimental studies directly related to the effect of probiotics on metabolic control in the context of T2DM. The hypothesis that gut microbiota plays a role in the development of diabetes indicates an important beginning, and the potential of probiotics to prevent and reduce the severity of T2DM is better observed in animal studies. In clinical trials, the use of probiotics in glycemic control presented conflicting results, and only few studies have attempted to evaluate factors that justify metabolic changes, such as markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and incretins. Thus, further research is needed to assess the effects of probiotics in the metabolism of diabetic individuals, as well as the main mechanisms involved in this complex relationship.
a Department of Health and Nutrition , Federal University of Viçosa , Viçosa , Minas Gerais , Brazil.
Livia
L
Bordalo Tonucci
b Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
Karina Maria Olbrich
KM
Dos Santos
c Department of Food Science , Federal University of Viçosa , Viçosa , Minas Gerais , Brazil.
Celia Lucia
CL
De Luces Fortes Ferreira
a Department of Health and Nutrition , Federal University of Viçosa , Viçosa , Minas Gerais , Brazil.
Sonia Machado Rocha
SM
Ribeiro
d Department of Biology , Federal University of Viçosa , Viçosa , Minas Gerais , Brazil.
Leandro Licursi
LL
De Oliveira
a Department of Health and Nutrition , Federal University of Viçosa , Viçosa , Minas Gerais , Brazil.
Hercia Stampini Duarte
HS
Martino
D000818:Animals; D001644:Bifidobacterium; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*
Gut microbiota; inflammation; oxidative stress; probiotics; type 2 diabetes