Evidence for the Gut Microbiota Short-Chain Fatty Acids as Key Pathophysiological Molecules Improving Diabetes

• Published in: Mediators of Inflammation Vol. 2014; no. 1; pp. 316 - 324
• Main Authors: Viviani, Giorgio Luciano, Montecucco, Fabrizio, Sanguineti, Roberta, Puddu, Alessandra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Limiteds 01.01.2014; Hindawi Publishing Corporation; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Analysis; Animals; B cells; Dextrose; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - metabolism; Dietary fiber; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Volatile - metabolism; Gastrointestinal Tract - microbiology; Glucose; Glucose - metabolism; Humans; Inflammation; Insulin; Insulin resistance; Kinases; Metabolic disorders; Microbiota (Symbiotic organisms); Microbiota - physiology; Review; Type 2 diabetes
• ISSN: 0962-9351; 1466-1861; 1466-1861
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/162021

In type 2 diabetes, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, increased inflammation, and oxidative stress were shown to be associated with the progressive deterioration of beta-cell function and mass. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are organic fatty acids produced in the distal gut by bacterial fermentation of macrofibrous material that might improve type 2 diabetes features. Their main beneficial activities were identified in the decrease of serum levels of glucose, insulin resistance as well as inflammation, and increase in protective Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion. In this review, we updated evidence on the effects of SCFAs potentially improving metabolic control in type 2 diabetes.