GLP-1 receptor agonists modulate blood glucose levels in T2DM by affecting Faecalibacterium prausnitzii abundance in the intestine

BACKGROUND: Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are a class of medications used to treat type 2 diabetes, including metformin, which is considered first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes. In recent years, GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have been found to alter the composition and structure of gut flora and also promote the production of gut probiotics. However, there have been few clinical studies regarding the effects of GLP-1 RAs on gut flora. In this study, we investigated changes in the abundance of Lactobacillus delbrueckii (L delbrueckii) and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (F prausnitzii) 1 week after administration of a GLP-1 RA in the clinical treatment of type 2 diabetes. The association with glycemic and body mass index (BMI) correlations was also explored. METHODS: Twelve newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes were examined for changes in the abundance of L delbrueckii and F prausnitzii by Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization 1 week after administration of GLP-1 RAs. Subjects BMI was measured and fasting glucose changes were detected using the glucose oxidase method, and Spearman correlation analysis was performed to explore their relevance. RESULTS: There was no significant change in the abundance of L delbrueckii in the intestine (P = .695) and no significant correlation with BMI and fasting glucose levels (R = 0.134, P = .534) after the use of GLP-1 RA (R = −0.098, P = .647); F prausnitzii on the other hand had a significantly higher abundance (P = .002) and a significant negative correlation with fasting glucose level (R = −0.689, P < .001), but no significant correlation with BMI (R = −0.056, P = .796). CONCLUSION: F prausnitzii may be one of the pathways through which glucose is regulated in the treatment of type 2 diabetes by GLP-1 RAs.