DIABETES: The Bacteria Connection

Gut microbiota composition early in life can affect adult health status including obesity, diabetes, heart and autoimmune disease susceptibility. A team of scientists from Copenhagen and Beijing examined gut bacteria composition of both diabetic and healthy people. The bacteria markers or indicators of people with type 2 diabetes were markedly different from healthy subjects.  Studies by other researchers comparing bacteria composition in the mouth and on the skin of people with and without diabetes also found certain bacteria were more prevalent in diabetic people. These preliminary studies found certain bacteria were associated with both Type 1and Type 2 Diabetes but were not sure whether the bacteria actually cause diabetes or were opportunistic infection since high blood sugar encourages bacteria growth. Other studies on specific bacteria species demonstrated they actually promoted the development of the disease.

Since specific bacteria can cause diabetes, some researchers wondered whether there were other bacteria that can protect against the development of the disease. A team of researchers from France, China and Sweden transferred gut microorganisms from healthy mice to mice with type 1 Diabetes, an autoimmune disease. That reduced the occurrence of diabetes.  The researchers observed, "This research is further evidence of the undeniable role microbiota plays in autoimmune diseases, particularly in controlling the development of autoimmune diabetes." [Study presented at  la recherche médicale]