Research identifies gut microbiome and fasting as key factors in type 2 diabetes

New research highlights different biological pathways for managing and predicting type 2 diabetes (T2D). One study from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine examined how fasting and glucose metabolism affect peripheral inflammation. The researchers found that T-cell stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from non-fasted individuals with T2D produced higher levels of cytokines compared to those who were fasting. Interestingly, while dysglycemia is a hallmark of T2D, cytokine production by PBMCs or CD4+ T-cells was not altered by hyperglycemic media.

In a separate study presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes meeting, researchers identified that changes in gut microbiome composition may serve as an early warning sign for T2D. By analyzing data from hundreds of thousands of individuals, scientists detected hundreds of microbial changes that occur before blood glucose levels show any abnormalities. This discovery suggests that monitoring gut bacteria could allow for earlier lifestyle interventions and preventative care for individuals who currently appear to have normal blood sugar levels but are at high risk for the disease.