DIRECT – The thousands of bacteria in our gut could help treat diabetes better. Research suggests that inhibiting certain mechanisms may reduce inflammation linked to the disease.
Could diabetes be improved by acting on the intestinal flora? It is in any case a track explored by several researchers. The subject was dealt with at the congress of the Société Francophone de Diabétologie (SFD, March 24-27, Bordeaux). Research is currently focused on mice, but the results are encouraging.
“A real organ”
The gut microbiota is often referred to as the “second brain.” Some of its bacteria serve as genetic markers associated with certain metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.
Watch the explanations of Karine Clément, professor of nutrition at the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital (Paris): ” There are hundreds of thousands of bacteria in our gut. “
Type 2 diabetes, like obesity, is a disease with multiple causes. These two pathologies have one thing in common: chronic inflammation. Organs that control metabolism, such as the liver and fatty tissue, are particularly affected.
Variable flora
“In humans, we are able to study the microbiota by sequencing techniques. Bacterial DNA is extracted from stool samples, ”explains Professor Karine Clément. These analyzes made it possible to determine the differences between the intestinal flora of people who are obese or not, diabetic or not.
Watch the explanations of Karine Clément : ” If we compare obese and non-obese people, there are changes in the richness and composition of the microbiota. “
Analysis of the microbiota has also shown that it can change depending on the diet. “We know that fiber and low glycemic index carbohydrate intake improves insulin sensitivity,” explains Karine Clément. The work of his team has notably highlighted the role of certain factors. A study, presented at the SFD congress, shows that interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) is involved in visceral obesity. Inhibiting its activity would be one way to reduce inflammation in diabetic patients. But Karine Clément urges caution: the results have yet to be demonstrated on human subjects. “We have to keep in mind that we are at the very beginning of a new era, and perhaps new treatments. “
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