Integrative Metagenomic Analyses Reveal Gut Microbiota-Derived Multiple Hits Connected to Development of Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with gut dysbiosis. To investigate the association between gut microbiota and T2DM in a Saudi Arabian population.

METHODS

We conducted a comparative analysis of fecal microbiota from 35 individuals, including both T2DM patients and healthy controls. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was employed to characterize the microbial community structure.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed significant differences in microbial composition between the two groups. The T2DM group exhibited a higher abundance of Firmicutes and lower levels of Bacteroidetes compared to the healthy control group. At the genus level, T2DM patients showed a decrease in butyrate-producing bacteria such as Bacteroides and Akkermansia, while an increase in Ruminococcus and Prevotella was observed. Additionally, the T2DM group had a higher abundance of Faecalibacterium, Agathobacter, and Lachnospiraceae, along with a lower abundance of Bacteroides.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that alterations in gut microbiota composition may contribute to the development of T2DM in the Saudi Arabian population. Further large-scale studies are needed to validate these findings and explore potential therapeutic interventions targeting the gut microbiome.