Characterization of Gut Microbiota Composition in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Population-Based Study

Abstract

(1) Background: A clinical laboratory index to assess gut dysbiosis is the F/B ratio < 0.8. In fact, an elevated proportion of Firmicutes and a reduced population of Bacteroides in diabetes type 2 (T2D) subjects has been observed. This study aimed to detail the dysbiosis status in the Italian population, focusing on some pathogenic spectra (T2D) or metabolic disorders. (2) Material and methods: A quantity of 334 fecal samples was analyzed in order to perform genetic testing and sequencing. (3) Results: A trend in over imbalance was observed in the percentage of Proteobacteria (median value: 6.75%; interquartile range (IQR): 3.57–17.29%). A statistically significant association (χ2p = 0.033) was observed between type of dysbiosis and T2D, corresponding to an Odds Ratio (OR) of 1.86. It was noted that females with cystitis/candidiasis are significantly prevalent in T2D patients (p < 0.01; OR: 3.59; 95% CI: 1.43–8.99). Although, in non-diabetic males, a sugar craving is significantly associated with the rate of dysbiosis in non-diabetic males (p < 0.05; OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.00–1.16). (4) Conclusion: In T2D patients, the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio was biased in favor of Proteobacteria, to be expected due to the nutritional habits of the patients. Thus, T2D females had altered gut permeability favoring the development of infections in the vaginal tract.

Metformin Alters mRNA Expression of FOXP3, RORC, and TBX21 and Modulates Gut Microbiota in COVID-19 Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

“…Although we did not observe changes in the F/B ratio between patients taking and not taking metformin, several studies have reported that obese and diabetic patients exhibit a higher F/B ratio compared to healthy subjects [ 30 , 31 ]. Patients taking metformin showed higher indices of alpha diversity, aligning with findings from previous studies [ 32 ].…”

Trends in Antibiotic Resistance of Nosocomial and Community-Acquired Infections in Italy

“…While the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in nosocomial facilities can be easily understood and, even if difficult to prevent, can be somehow contrasted, it is urgent to understand the increasing antibiotic resistance in the community, in agreement with other studies that confirmed the presence of CPO, MRSA, and VRE producers in the environment, where they can act as a reservoir of such resistance, their presence is nonetheless disturbing, as these genes can be transferred into human [ 34 ]. Moreover, many clinical and epidemiological studies indicate that antibiotic overuse can imbalance the composition of the gut microbiota, resulting in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the proliferation of opportunistic pathogens [ 35 , 36 ]. The presence of antibiotic residues in the environment can lead to contamination [ 37 ].…”

Effects of high oleic acid peanuts on mice’s liver and adipose tissue metabolic parameters and gut microbiota composition

“…Regardless of cultivar., peanut-fed animals were characterized by a greater F/B ratio, which was driven by concurrent increases and decreases in Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes abundance, respectively. Increased F/B ratio has long been employed as a characteristic of the dysbiosis associated with obesity and T2D, with the surmise that the former is a consequence of higher caloric availability that may accompany this altered proportion ( 38 ). Despite the popularity of this measure, evidence from human and animal models has cast doubt on its usage and forenamed interpretation ( 14 , 39 , 40 ).…”