Individual gut microbiological signature in obese diabetic spouses – case report and literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the fact that the gut microbiome signature becomes more pronounced in type 2 diabetes, a better understanding of the role of microflora in diabetes (existing dysbiosis) provides new insight into the pathophysiology of this disorder. This study focused on the gut microbiome profiles of a married couple with type 2 diabetes and obesity living for last 35 years in a shared household in terms of their nutritional status, lifestyle and diabetes treatment methods. At the same time, an attempt was made to answer the question of which factors have the most significant impact on the intestinal microbiome. Material and Methods: Medical interviews of subjects, anthropometric measurements, body composition, 24-hour nutritional interviews, glycemic control, and stool samples were analyzed. The quantitative and qualitative examination of the fecal intestinal flora was performed by the next-generation sequencing method. Results: There were no significant differences in the study of the gut microbiome between the two subjects. The dominant bacterial phyla were Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, while Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria shared smaller proportions, between 2 and 7%. Phylum Firmicutes was presented by the dominant Lachnospiraceae family (29–31%), Ruminococcaceae (16–19%), and Streptococcaceae (3–11%). The Actinobacteria phylum was proportionally less abundant and mainly represented by Bifidobacteriaceae (6–12%). Conclusions: May be the common living conditions have a significant influence on gut microbiota composition of diabetic spouses, despite differences in gender, comorbidities, diabetes therapy, diet and behaviors.

Keywords

• gut microbiome
• spouses
• obesity
• type 2 diabetes