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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2023; 131(11): 569-576
DOI: 10.1055/a-2181-6664
Article

Investigating the Association Between Diet-Induced “Leaky Gut” and the Development of Prediabetes

Nosipho R. Dimba
1   School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa, 4000
,
Nhlakanipho Mzimela
1   School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa, 4000
,
Palesa Mosili
1   School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa, 4000
,
Phikelelani S. Ngubane
1   School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa, 4000
,
Andile Khathi
1   School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa, 4000
› Author Affiliations Funding Information National Research Foundation (NRF) — 141796
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Abstract

Introduction Chronic consumption of a high-calorie diet compromises the gut microbiota and the integrity of the intestinal wall, which causes translocation of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) into the blood. This elicits the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in inflammation. However, how a high-fat high carbohydrate diet affects intestinal permeability and its possible role in the development of prediabetes have not been investigated. This study investigated the effects of HFHC diet-induced prediabetes on gut microbiota and intestinal permeability in male Sprague Dawley rats.

Methods The animals were randomly assigned into the non-prediabetic (NPD) and diet-induced prediabetic (PD) groups (n=6) for 20 weeks. Then, the fecal samples were analyzed to measure the gut microbiota level of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria in both animal groups. Blood glucose, plasma insulin, serum zonulin, plasma LPS, soluble CD14, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and intestinal fatty-acid binding protein (IFABP) concentrations were measured.

Results The PD group had a reduction in the Firmicutes and an increase in Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria levels compared to those in the NPD group. Blood glucose, insulin concentration, serum zonulin, and plasma sCD14 concentrations in the PD group increased significantly, while plasma LPS concentrations were similar to the NPD group. Concentrations of plasma TNF-α, IL-6, CRP, and IFABP, an intracellular protein expressed in the intestine, increased in PD compared to the NPD group.

Conclusions the study results cumulatively suggest that chronic consumption of the HFHC diet may be associated with the dysregulation of gut microbiota, leading to increased intestinal permeability.

Key words

prediabetes - high-fat high carbohydrate - gut microbiota - zonulin - lipopolysaccharides - intestinal permeability

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 22 April 2023
Received: 21 June 2023

Accepted: 26 September 2023

Accepted Manuscript online:
26 September 2023

Article published online:
31 October 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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