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Review Paper | Biochemistry | Volume 15 Issue 5, May 2026 | Pages: 1194 - 1197 | India
Microbiota and Type 1 Diabetes: An Emerging Connection
Abstract: The body's immune system destroys the pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), a chronic autoimmune illness. Previously believed to be mostly a genetic condition, T1DM is now recognised to be significantly influenced by environmental factors, with the gut microbiota emerging as one of the most researched. Long before clinical symptoms appear, children who eventually develop type 1 diabetes exhibit altered gut microbial patterns, including decreased microbial diversity and fewer butyrate-producing bacteria such as Faecalibacterium and Roseburia. Several mechanisms have been proposed to link gut dysbiosis to beta-cell destruction, including increased intestinal permeability with translocation of bacterial products, molecular mimicry between microbial and self-peptides, loss of short-chain fatty acids that support regulatory T cells, and altered innate immune responses. The broader hygiene hypothesis is supported by the fact that environmental factors that influence the early microbiota, such as formula feeding, caesarean delivery, and antibiotic exposure, also impact T1DM risk. Probiotics, dietary fibre, prebiotics, and faecal microbiota transplantation are examples of early therapeutic techniques that have demonstrated promising but early outcomes. This review identifies areas that require more research and summarises the available data on the relationship between gut microbiota and type 1 diabetes.
Keywords: Type 1 diabetes mellitus, Gut microbiota, Dysbiosis, Probiotics, Hygiene hypothesis
How to Cite?: Dr. T Karmugil, "Microbiota and Type 1 Diabetes: An Emerging Connection", Volume 15 Issue 5, May 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1194-1197, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26519210836, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26519210836