Gut Microbiota in the Progression of Type 2 Diabetes and the Potential Role of Exercise: A Critical Review
Chariklia K. Deli,
Ioannis G. Fatouros,
Athanasios Poulios,
Christina A. Liakou,
Dimitrios Draganidis,
Konstantinos Papanikolaou,
Anastasia Rosvoglou,
Athanasios Gatsas,
Kalliopi Georgakouli,
Panagiotis Tsimeas,
Athanasios Z. Jamurtas
Affiliations
Chariklia K. Deli
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sport Science, and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
Ioannis G. Fatouros
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sport Science, and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
Athanasios Poulios
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sport Science, and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
Christina A. Liakou
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sport Science, and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
Dimitrios Draganidis
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sport Science, and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
Konstantinos Papanikolaou
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sport Science, and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
Anastasia Rosvoglou
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sport Science, and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
Athanasios Gatsas
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sport Science, and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
Kalliopi Georgakouli
Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, School of Physical Education, Sport Science, and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
Panagiotis Tsimeas
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sport Science, and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
Athanasios Z. Jamurtas
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sport Science, and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the predominant metabolic epidemic posing a major threat to global health. Growing evidence indicates that gut microbiota (GM) may critically influence the progression from normal glucose tolerance, to pre-diabetes, to T2D. On the other hand, regular exercise contributes to the prevention and/or treatment of the disease, and evidence suggests that a possible way regular exercise favorably affects T2D is by altering GM composition toward health-promoting bacteria. However, research regarding this potential effect of exercise-induced changes of GM on T2D and the associated mechanisms through which these effects are accomplished is limited. This review presents current data regarding the association of GM composition and T2D and the possible critical GM differentiation in the progression from normal glucose, to pre-diabetes, to T2D. Additionally, potential mechanisms through which GM may affect T2D are presented. The effect of exercise on GM composition and function on T2D progression is also discussed.
