Effects of Probiotics on Type 2 Diabetes MKR Mice Gut Microbiome

Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects more than four hundred million people around the world. It is the most common form of diabetes present in individuals and one of the leading causes of death. The gastrointestinal tract harbors a diverse ecosystem of microbes that carry out a critical role in health and disease. Recent studies have shown that microbial dysbiosis can lead to an increase in harmful metabolites that may alter systemic pathways including but not limited to insulin resistance. Consequently, the gut microbiome plays an important role in T2DM metabolic disorder and presents a potential target for bio-therapeutic treatments. We hypothesized that depletion of the gut microbiota via antibiotics and subsequent repopulation using commercially available probiotics would modulate intestinal gene expression.
Methods: Using both a hyperinsulinemic homozygous transgenic mouse model (MKR) and Wild Type (WT) model, nine animals in each group were divided into three cohorts: 1) control animals (n=3): 2) with antibiotics and no probiotics (n=3), 3) with antibiotics and probiotics (n=3). Shifts in the gut microbiome were analyzed via 16S rRNA gene isolation from fecal samples and sequencing via MiSeq. Nucleic acid purification and Polymerase Chain Reaction were used for downstream processing.
Results: Initial Sequencing data suggested that there were significant differences at phylum between MKR and Wild Type (WT) mice. The Phylum Deferribacteres, Proteobacteria, TM7 and Tenericutes were higher in MKR fecal samples. There were major differences at genus levels between MKR and WT. The data suggest a 'gut signature' in T2DM.
Conclusions: Future understanding of the role of the gut microbiome in diabetes might provide new aspects regarding its pathophysiological relevance and pave the way for new therapeutic approaches.