Tuesday, 28 October 2025

Gut Microbiota as a Modulator of Insulin Resistance: A Review | Chapter 7 | Medical Science: Recent Advances and Applications Vol. 12

 

Insulin resistance is the pivotal pathogenic component of many metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, and is defined as a state of reduced responsiveness of insulin-targeting tissues to physiological levels of insulin. Recent studies have progressively uncovered aspects of the gut microbiota and how it contributes to the metabolism of key nutrients during IR. The purpose of this review is to examine the role of gut microbiota as a modulator of insulin resistance. Growing evidence indicates that dysbiosis, marked by reduced microbial diversity and an imbalance between beneficial and harmful species, contributes to metabolic dysfunction. Key findings show that a higher Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio, the inflammatory action of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the beneficial effects of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are central to understanding the link between microbiota and host metabolism. Protective taxa such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii support metabolic stability, while endotoxin elevation worsens inflammation and insulin resistance. Current therapeutic strategies—including diet modification, physical activity, prebiotics, probiotics, and faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)—demonstrate potential in restoring microbial balance. Despite these advances, challenges such as interindividual variability and the need for standardised, long-term trials remain. In conclusion, gut microbiota should be regarded not as a passive indicator but as an active therapeutic modulator with strong potential in the prevention and management of insulin resistance.

 


Author(s) Details

Noor Ali Hussein
Babylon Education Directorate, Ministry of Education, Hillah, Iraq.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msraa/v12/6442

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