Harvard has identified changes in the gut that could lead to diabetes

Over the past decade, several studies have demonstrated a relationship between changes in gut microbiome and development diabetesThe problem is that these studies were too small and varied in design to draw firm conclusions. However, a recent study Harvard University identified intestinal changes that can lead to diabetes.

Thus, this study, of greater scope and depth from an ethnic and geographical perspective, provides new evidence of the relationship between gut microbiome And diabetes type 2, prediabetes and the optimal range blood sugar content.

The study was published in the journal Natural medicineconducted by specialists from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Broad Institute of MITAnd TH Chan School of Public Health from Harvard.

The study used the latest data from Microbiome and Cardiometabolic Disease Consortium (MicroCardio)and specifically analyzed a total of 8,117 gut microbiome metagenomes corresponding to participants from different ethnic groups and geographic regions.

The study included people with type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or no change in blood sugar levels; and the researchers designed it with two key questions in mind: What are the functions of the species and strains that make up the gut microbiome in type 2 diabetes? And What do these microbes do?

In answering these questions, Fenglei WangCo-author and professor Harvard Chan School, explained what they had discovered “a relatively consistent set of microbial species associated with type 2 diabetes” and that “many of these species have never been previously reported.”“.

To understand the role of these bowel changesThe team analyzed the functional capabilities of this species and found that some strains have functions closely linked to certain disease risk factors. diabetes type 2In particular, the researchers discovered the presence of a strain called Prevotella copriwith the ability to produce abundant branched-chain amino acids, predominantly in the gut microbiome of patients with diabetes.

In this context, the researchers say this is a surprising discovery, which suggests that bacteriophages may be able to induce some of the changes present in certain strains of gut bacteria.

In accordance with Van“This could mean that a virus infects the bacteria and changes its function in a way that increases or decreases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.“.

After the study, scientists claim that changes in the gut microbiome cause type 2 diabetes later, and not the other way around. Although the truth is that more evidence is needed to convincingly demonstrate the connection.

However, for experts it is of crucial importance.”find a way to alter the microbiome and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, such as through dietary changes, probiotics, or stool transplants.“he decided Van.