Gut Microbiota in Patients with Prediabetes

Area of Science:

• Microbiome research
• Metabolic health
• Nutritional science

Background:

• Prediabetes is defined by glycemic levels below type 2 diabetes thresholds.
• Gut microbiota's role in glucose metabolism and insulin resistance is known in diabetes, but less studied in prediabetes, especially in Asia.
• Understanding gut microbiota in prediabetes is crucial for preventing type 2 diabetes progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate gut microbiota composition differences between prediabetic patients and healthy individuals in Asia.
• To explore the relationship between gut microbiota, dietary habits, and prediabetes status.

Main Methods:

• Study included 57 prediabetic patients and 60 healthy adults (aged 18-65).
• Collected biochemistry data, fecal samples, and 3-day food records.
• Utilized 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) metagenomic sequencing for gut microbiota analysis.

Main Results:

• Prediabetic patients exhibited lower gut microbial diversity than healthy controls.
• Significant differences were found in the abundance of 9 bacterial genera (decreased) and 14 genera (increased) in prediabetic patients.
• Prediabetic patients on a low-carbohydrate (LC) diet showed higher gut microbial diversity compared to those on a high-carbohydrate diet.
• The genus *Coprococcus* was more abundant in prediabetic patients consuming an LC diet.

Conclusions:

• The gut microbiota composition significantly differs between prediabetic patients and healthy individuals.
• Adopting a low-carbohydrate diet with high dietary fiber intake may positively influence gut microbiota in prediabetic individuals.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the gut microbiota's role in glycemic control within the Asian population.