Abstract
Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic condition characterized by insulin resistance and impaired glycemic regulation. The gut microbiota is a crucial factor in understanding the mechanisms that influence metabolism and T2DM control through glucose homeostasis, low-grade inflammation, and insulin signaling. Therefore, exploring the interactions between microbial profiles, diet, and therapeutic interventions within the gut-metabolism axis is essential. Objective: This study aims to review the influence of gut microbiota on glycemic regulation in individuals with T2DM, highlighting the main mechanisms involved, modulatory factors, and clinical implications for disease management. Methodology: This study is a qualitative and exploratory literature review. Article selection was conducted in the PubMed database using the descriptors "Glycemic Control," "Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2," and "Gastrointestinal Microbiome," combined with the Boolean operator "AND." Studies published between 2014 and 2024 in English, with full-text availability and relevance to the topic, were included. Studies using animal models, duplicate articles, and those outside the study's scope were excluded. The initial search yielded 39 articles, of which 05 were selected for in-depth analysis. Results: The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of T2DM, influencing insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. Reduced microbial diversity and the predominance of certain bacteria are associated with metabolic deterioration, whereas a balanced microbiota can improve glycemic control. Healthy diets, such as the Mediterranean diet and fiber-rich diets, promote the production of SCFAs, which aid in glycemic homeostasis. Probiotics and prebiotics may positively modulate the microbiota. Conclusion: The gut microbiota plays a key role in T2DM glycemic homeostasis, directly influencing glucose regulation. Dysbiosis worsens insulin resistance and inflammation, contributing to metabolic imbalance. Strategies such as increasing fiber intake and using probiotics show therapeutic potential, promoting microbial balance and improving patients’ quality of life.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Odeon Parente Aguiar Júnior, Jonatas Monteiro Marques, João Marcos de Fontes Carneiro, Thais Feitosa de Noroes Milfont, Arthur Araújo Lopes, Gustavo dos Reis Leite, Dante de Matos Moraes, Rodrigo Satiro Primo; Ana Carolina Duarte Rossi; Lívia Nery Portela Aguiar, Ana Beatriz Silva Barros, Ana Laura Duarte da Silva, Gustavo Candaten Treichel; Dara Medeiros Mendes; Kim Leonard de Carvalho, Barbara Ferreira Maciel