Scientists from the Biomedical Research Center in Red-Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN) have discovered that the intestinal microbiota in children with type 1 diabetes is different from that of healthy children, which opens the door to the development of strategies for strategies forControl the advancement of the disease by modifying the intestinal flora.
The study, published in the magazine 'BMC Medicine', has been directed from the Virgen de la Victoria de Málaga hospital by Dr. Francisco J Tinahones who have also discovered that some intestinal bacteria are related to the degree of glycemic control of patients.
"Although previous studies had already related microbiota to the genesis of some autoimmune diseases, in fact the intestinal flora contributes to our immunotolerance, it is the first time that type 1 diabetes is linked and with glycemic control, which opens the doorTo implement strategies to control the development of the disease through the modification of the intestinal flora, "explains and tubes.
The investigation was carried out with 16 children with type 1 diabetes and another 16 healthy age and similar diet, analyzing in both groups samples of blood and feces to compare their intestinal flora, which turned out to be different.
In addition, the amount of essential bacteria to maintain intestinal integrity was significantly lower in children with diabetes than in health. This research in humans was carried out after another one made with rodents suggested that the development of type 1 diabetes wasIt could prevent by modulation of the microbiota.
The intestinal microbiota constitutes a complex ecosystem of organisms that performs an important function in the state of health of the human being.
It has a digestive function contributing to the synthesis of micronutrients, the absorption of electrolytes and minerals and the digestion and absorption of certain indigestible substances.
On the other hand, the microbiota also contributes to the destruction of toxins and carcinogens, avoids colonization by pathogenic bacteria, contributes to the development of the immune system and modulates the inflammatory state.
Without a balanced microbiota, the entire metabolism is altered, raising the risk of disease, weakening the body and making the recovery longer.
"In recent years we have been able to verify that the intestinal flora influences the appearance of metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, inflammatory and cardiovascular pathologies and even in the risk of cancer," says Dr. Tinahones.
"We knew, therefore, the close relationship between type 2 diabetes, obesity and changes in the microbiota, but this study first relates changes in microbiota with type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease.
But the most important thing for future research is that the microbiota can be manipulated medically and, therefore, new therapeutic possibilities could be opened in the prevention of type 1 diabetes, "he concludes.