Targeted Therapy for Gut Microbiota: Candidates for a Novel Strategy to Ameliorate Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) poses a significant threat to public health and is associated with the gut microbiota. Gut microbiota modulators, including probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics, together with faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), can restore the gut microbiota in patients and are recognised as powerful modulators of this ecosystem. Consequently, gut microbiota modulators are promising in the prevention and treatment of T2DM. The roles and mechanisms by which these therapeutic approaches target the gut microbiota in patients with T2DM warrant further investigation and elucidation. Key potential mechanisms associated with gut microbiota regulation include the modulation of gut microbiota composition alteration of gut microbiota metabolites, enhancement of intestinal barrier function, and suppression of inflammation. This study provides a comprehensive review of the relationship between the gut microbiota and T2DM, presents promising research findings and controversial issues, emphasises the potential roles and mechanisms of the gut microbiota in T2DM, and investigates the factors influencing the therapeutic efficacy of FMT. This review serves as a valuable reference for future studies on FMT.