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Updated: Sep 18, 2025

An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota
Published on: July 31, 2019
Bidirectional Interactions Between the Gut Microbiota and Incretin-Based Therapies
Vincenzo Trapanese1, Annamaria Dagostino1, Maria Resilde Natale1
1Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Novel antidiabetic medications, like incretin-based therapies, positively impact gut microbiota composition. This review explores how these treatments influence gut bacteria, offering new strategies for obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Diseases
Background:
- Obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and metabolic syndrome are linked to reduced gut bacterial diversity (intestinal dysbiosis).
- Emerging antidiabetic medications show promise in favorably altering gut microbiota composition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the effects of incretin-based therapies, including DPP-4 inhibitors and GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists, on gut microbiota in mice and humans.
- To elucidate the complex, bidirectional interaction between the incretinic axis and gut microbial composition.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating incretin-based therapies and their impact on gut microbiota.
- Analysis of effects across both preclinical (mice) and clinical (human) subjects.
Main Results:
- Incretin-based therapies exert a multifaceted influence on gut microbiota composition and bacterial flora.
- Gut microbial metabolites play a significant role in modulating enteroendocrine cell activity and hormone secretion.
Conclusions:
- The incretinic axis is involved in modulating microbial composition, suggesting potential for novel preventative strategies.
- These findings highlight potential personalized therapeutic targets for obesity and T2DM through microbiota modulation.
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