Intake of Lactobacillus reuteri Improves Incretin and Insulin Secretion in Glucose Tolerant

Humans: A Proof of Concept

Featured Article:

Marie-Christine Simon, Klaus Strassburger, Bettina Nowotny, Hubert Kolb, Peter Nowotny, Volker Burkart, Fariba Zivehe, Jong-

Hee Hwang, Peter Stehle, Giovanni Pacini, Bolette Hartmann, Jens J. Holst, Colin MacKenzie, Laure B. Bindels, Ines Martinez, Jens Walter,

Birgit Henrich, Nanette C. Schloot, and Michael Roden

Diabetes Care Volume 38: 1827-1834

October, 2015

STUDY OBJECTIVE 

• To hypothesize that daily intake of Lactobacillus reuteri increases insulin sensitivity by changing cytokine release and insulin secretion via modulation of the release of glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 and -2

Simon M.-C. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:1827-1834

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

• Prospective, double-blind, randomized trial was performed in 21 glucose-tolerant humans

• Participants ingested 1010 b.i.d. L. reuteri or placebo over 4 weeks

• Oral glucose tolerance and isoglycemic glucose infusion tests were used to assess incretin effect and GLP-1 and GLP-2 secretion

Simon M.-C. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:1827-1834

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

• Euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps with [6,6-2H2]glucose were used to measure peripheral insulin sensitivity and endogenous glucose production

• Muscle and hepatic lipid contents were assessed by 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy

• Immune status, cytokines, and endotoxin were measured with specific assays

Simon M.-C. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:1827-1834

RESULTS

• Daily administration of L. reuteri increased glucose-stimulated GLP-1 and GLP-2 release by 76 and 43%, respectively, compared with placebo

• There was 49% higher insulin and 55% higher C-peptide secretion

• Intervention did not alter peripheral and hepatic insulin sensitivity, body mass, ectopic fat content, or circulating cytokines

Simon M.-C. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:1827-1834

Simon M.-C. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:1827-1834

Simon M.-C. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:1827-1834

Simon M.-C. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:1827-1834

CONCLUSIONS

• Enrichment of gut microbiota with L. reuteri increases insulin secretion, but does not directly affect insulin sensitivity or body fat distribution

• Oral ingestion of one specific strain may serve as a novel therapeutic approach to improve glucose-dependent insulin release

Simon M.-C. et al. Diabetes Care 2015;38:1827-1834