Stool microbiota of high-risk people for type 2 diabetes

Fugmann M, Breier M, Rottenkolber M, Banning F, Ferrari U, Sacco V, Grallert H, Parhofer KG, Seissler J, Clavel T, Lechner A. The stool microbiota of insulin resistant women with recent gestational diabetes, a high risk group for type 2 diabetes. doi: 10.1038/srep13212. Nature Scientific Reports. August 17, 2015

The top 6 bacterial families of the intestinal flora. Each bar represents a study participant. Insulin-resistant women who had gestational diabetes (pGDM group) are compared with control participants (controls). © HMGU

The gut microbiota influences metabolic health and has already been linked to diabetes. DZD scientist from Munich now investigated the microbiome of young adults at risk for type 2 diabetes. They compared stool microbiota of insulin resistant women with previous gestational diabetes – a high risk group for type 2 diabetes – and women after a normoglycemic pregnancy (controls).

Significantly more women in the previous gestational diabetes group showed a Prevotellaceae-dominated intestinal microbiome. Prevotella are mucin degrading bacteria, which may be associated with increased gut permeability and low-grade inflammation with decreased insulin sensitivity. This could explain the link between Prevotellaceae and diabetes.

The study suggests that distinctive features of the intestinal microbiota are already present
in young adults at risk for type 2 diabetes. These results warrant further investigation in larger human cohorts and other clinical settings, as well as examination of the underlying molecular mechanisms. Considering that the gut microbiota can be influenced by diet, this might be a suitable way to prevent type 2 diabetes in people at risk.

Original publication:
Fugmann M, Breier M, Rottenkolber M, Banning F, Ferrari U, Sacco V, Grallert H, Parhofer KG, Seissler J, Clavel T, Lechner A. The stool microbiota of insulin resistant women with recent gestational diabetes, a high risk group for type 2 diabetes. doi: 10.1038/srep13212. Nature Scientific Reports. August 17, 2015

Link to the publication:
http://www.nature.com/articles/srep13212