Differences in gut microbiota between Dutch and South-Asian Surinamese: potential implications for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Gut microbiota, or the collection of diverse microorganisms in a specific ecological niche, are known to significantly impact human health. Decreased gut microbiota production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) has been implicated in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) disease progression. Most microbiome studies focus on ethnic majorities. This study aims to understand how the microbiome differs between an ethnic majority (the Dutch) and minority (the South-Asian Surinamese (SAS)) group with a lower and higher prevalence of T2DM, respectively. Microbiome data from the Healthy Life in an Urban Setting (HELIUS) cohort were used. Two age- and gender-matched groups were compared: the Dutch (n = 41) and SAS (n = 43). Microbial community compositions were generated via DADA2. Metrics of microbial diversity and similarity between groups were computed. Biomarker analyses were performed to determine discriminating taxa. Bacterial co-occurrence networks were constructed to examine ecological patterns. A tight microbiota cluster was observed in the Dutch women, which overlapped with some of the SAS microbiota. The Dutch gut contained a more interconnected microbial ecology, whereas the SAS network was dispersed, i.e., contained fewer inter-taxonomic correlational relationships. Bacteroides caccae, Butyricicoccus, Alistipes putredinis, Coprococcus comes, Odoribacter splanchnicus, and Lachnospira were enriched in the Dutch gut. Haemophilus, Bifidobacterium, and Anaerostipes hadrus discriminated the SAS gut. All but Lachnospira and certain strains of Haemophilus are known to produce SCFAs. The Dutch gut microbiome was distinguished from the SAS by diverse, differentially abundant SCFA-producing taxa with significant cooperation. The dynamic ecology observed in the Dutch was not detected in the SAS. Among several potential gut microbial biomarkers, Haemophilus parainfluenzae likely best characterizes the ethnic minority group, which is more predisposed to T2DM. The higher prevalence of T2DM in the SAS may be associated with the gut dysbiosis observed.

Global research trends in regulating gut microbiome to improve type 2 diabetes mellitus: bibliometrics and visual analysis

“…This phenomenon interferes with the digestion and absorption of fats and carbohydrates and exacerbates disturbances in glucose and lipid metabolism. Adverse alterations in GM derivatives also exacerbate the symptoms of T2DM, such as a decrease in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bile acids (BAs), and an increase in lipopolysaccharides, exacerbating inflammation and insulin resistance ( 12 , 13 ). As early as 2008, researchers have found that changes in GM can control intestinal permeability and metabolic endotoxemia in high-fat-fed mice, a phenomenon that can have an impact on inflammation in obesity and diabetes ( 14 ) and that pharmacological interventions can also improve glucose tolerance in mice by modulating GM ( 15 ).…”