Systematic Review on the Importance of Gut Microbiota in the Regulation of Type 2 Diabetes Through Physical Activity and Exercise
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major global health issue, influenced by sedentary behavior and obesity. Emerging evidence implicates the gut microbiota in T2D pathophysiology through effects on glucose metabolism, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity. This systematic review included eleven studies, six...
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2025-07-01
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| author | Luis Muguerza-Rodríguez Alba Mier Jesus G. Ponce-González Cristina Casals Juan Corral-Pérez |
| author_facet | Luis Muguerza-Rodríguez Alba Mier Jesus G. Ponce-González Cristina Casals Juan Corral-Pérez |
| author_sort | Luis Muguerza-Rodríguez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major global health issue, influenced by sedentary behavior and obesity. Emerging evidence implicates the gut microbiota in T2D pathophysiology through effects on glucose metabolism, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity. This systematic review included eleven studies, six observational and five interventional, examining the relationship between physical activity, exercise, and gut microbiota in individuals with or at risk of T2D. Observational studies associated low physical activity and high sedentary time with reduced α-diversity and increased abundance of potentially harmful bacteria. Interventional studies showed that structured exercise, including moderate-intensity and sprint interval training, increased beneficial bacteria such as <i>Faecalibacterium</i>, <i>Veillonella</i>, <i>Lachnospira</i>, and <i>Bifidobacterium</i>, linked to anti-inflammatory effects and improved metabolic profiles. However, overall microbial diversity often remained unchanged unless combined with dietary modifications. Exercise also reduced levels of trimethylamine N-oxide, a metabolite linked to cardiovascular risk. Despite increases in butyrate-producing taxa, most studies did not report significant short-term changes in short-chain fatty acid levels, highlighting the complex interaction between microbiota and host metabolism. These findings support physical activity and exercise as modifiable factors that can influence gut microbiota composition, potentially contributing to improved metabolic regulation and better management of T2D. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1467-3037 1467-3045 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-c02a0bef7b29440c8f9e7e4f9eb242ff2025-08-20T03:35:27ZengMDPI AGCurrent Issues in Molecular Biology1467-30371467-30452025-07-0147750510.3390/cimb47070505Systematic Review on the Importance of Gut Microbiota in the Regulation of Type 2 Diabetes Through Physical Activity and ExerciseLuis Muguerza-Rodríguez0Alba Mier1Jesus G. Ponce-González2Cristina Casals3Juan Corral-Pérez4ExPhy Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Universidad de Cádiz, 11519 Cádiz, SpainExPhy Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Universidad de Cádiz, 11519 Cádiz, SpainExPhy Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Universidad de Cádiz, 11519 Cádiz, SpainExPhy Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Universidad de Cádiz, 11519 Cádiz, SpainExPhy Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Universidad de Cádiz, 11519 Cádiz, SpainType 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major global health issue, influenced by sedentary behavior and obesity. Emerging evidence implicates the gut microbiota in T2D pathophysiology through effects on glucose metabolism, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity. This systematic review included eleven studies, six observational and five interventional, examining the relationship between physical activity, exercise, and gut microbiota in individuals with or at risk of T2D. Observational studies associated low physical activity and high sedentary time with reduced α-diversity and increased abundance of potentially harmful bacteria. Interventional studies showed that structured exercise, including moderate-intensity and sprint interval training, increased beneficial bacteria such as <i>Faecalibacterium</i>, <i>Veillonella</i>, <i>Lachnospira</i>, and <i>Bifidobacterium</i>, linked to anti-inflammatory effects and improved metabolic profiles. However, overall microbial diversity often remained unchanged unless combined with dietary modifications. Exercise also reduced levels of trimethylamine N-oxide, a metabolite linked to cardiovascular risk. Despite increases in butyrate-producing taxa, most studies did not report significant short-term changes in short-chain fatty acid levels, highlighting the complex interaction between microbiota and host metabolism. These findings support physical activity and exercise as modifiable factors that can influence gut microbiota composition, potentially contributing to improved metabolic regulation and better management of T2D.https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/7/505obesityintestinal dysbiosismetabolic diseasesinsulin resistance |
| spellingShingle | Luis Muguerza-Rodríguez Alba Mier Jesus G. Ponce-González Cristina Casals Juan Corral-Pérez Systematic Review on the Importance of Gut Microbiota in the Regulation of Type 2 Diabetes Through Physical Activity and Exercise Current Issues in Molecular Biology obesity intestinal dysbiosis metabolic diseases insulin resistance |
| title | Systematic Review on the Importance of Gut Microbiota in the Regulation of Type 2 Diabetes Through Physical Activity and Exercise |
| title_full | Systematic Review on the Importance of Gut Microbiota in the Regulation of Type 2 Diabetes Through Physical Activity and Exercise |
| title_fullStr | Systematic Review on the Importance of Gut Microbiota in the Regulation of Type 2 Diabetes Through Physical Activity and Exercise |
| title_full_unstemmed | Systematic Review on the Importance of Gut Microbiota in the Regulation of Type 2 Diabetes Through Physical Activity and Exercise |
| title_short | Systematic Review on the Importance of Gut Microbiota in the Regulation of Type 2 Diabetes Through Physical Activity and Exercise |
| title_sort | systematic review on the importance of gut microbiota in the regulation of type 2 diabetes through physical activity and exercise |
| topic | obesity intestinal dysbiosis metabolic diseases insulin resistance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/7/505 |
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