The potential of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics for ameliorating intestinal barrier dysfunction and modulating inflammatory responses as dietary supplements in diabetes mellitus management
Yuxin Wang, Lingmin Tian, João Paulo Fabi, Paul de Vos
Abstract
The integrity of the intestinal barrier is increasingly recognized as a pivotal factor in the pathogenesis of both type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In T1DM, a compromised barrier facilitates antigen translocation, precipitating autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells. In T2DM, increased intestinal permeability contributes to metabolic endotoxemia and chronic systemic inflammation. Prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics represent promising dietary strategies to counteract these processes by modulating gut microbiota composition, reinforcing intestinal barrier function, and regulating immune responses. Prebiotics like inulin and fructooligosaccharides selectively promote beneficial bacteria, while probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium contribute to gut homeostasis and immunomodulation. Synbiotics, which combine both, aim to yield synergistic benefits. Despite encouraging preclinical and clinical evidence, significant challenges remain, including strain-specific and dose-dependent efficacy, long-term safety, and variable individual responses due to gut microbiota heterogeneity. This variability underscores the need for personalized nutritional approaches, potentially guided by real-time monitoring and microbiome diagnostics. Furthermore, safety considerations are crucial, as certain probiotic candidates (e.g., Bacillus , Clostridium , and Akkermansia ) may pose risks of opportunistic infections in vulnerable populations. Future research should therefore focus on refining personalized intervention strategies and rigorously validating the safety and efficacy of microbiome-targeted therapies through robust clinical trials before their widespread adoption as supplements for diabetes management.