The Role of Gut Microbiota in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Diabetes: Lessons from Animal Models and Humans

The number of diabetes mellitus patients is increasing rapidly worldwide. Diet and nutrition are strongly believed to play a significant role in the development of diabetes mellitus. However, the specific dietary factors and detailed mechanisms of its development have not been clearly elucidated. Increasing evidence indicates the intestinal microbiota is becoming abundantly apparent in the progression and prevention of insulin resistance in diabetes. Differences in gut microbiota composition, particularly butyrate-producing bacteria, have been observed in preclinical animal models as well as human patients compared to healthy controls. Gut microbiota dysbiosis may disrupt intestinal barrier functions and alter host metabolic pathways, directly or indirectly relating to insulin resistance. In this article, we focus on dietary fat, diabetes, and gut microbiome characterization. The promising probiotic and prebiotic approaches to diabetes, by favorably modifying the composition of the gut microbial community, warrant further investigation through well-designed human clinical studies.

Automated summary

The number of diabetes mellitus patients is increasing worldwide, and diet and nutrition are believed to play a significant role in its development. The intestinal microbiota, particularly butyrate-producing bacteria, has been found to contribute to insulin resistance in diabetes. Dysbiosis of gut microbiota may disrupt intestinal barrier functions and affect metabolic pathways related to insulin resistance. This article focuses on the characterization of dietary fat, diabetes, and the gut microbiome, and highlights the potential of probiotic and prebiotic approaches in diabetes.