Diet-Gut Microbiota Interactions and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM).

Valentina Ponzo, Debora Fedele, Ilaria Goitre, Filomena Leone, Antonela Lezo, Clara Monzeglio, Concetta Finocchiaro, Ezio Ghigo, Simona Bo

Journal: Nutrients 2019;11(2):330

PMID: 30717458

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Plain Language Summary

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an increasing public health concern that affects approximately 5-20% of pregnancies with rising prevalence. The potential impact of specific dietary interventions on the gut bacteria composition and function are of considerable interest to prevent and treat GDM. The aim of the study was to analyse the changes in the gut microbiota and the diet-microbiota interactions occurring during healthy pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by GDM. This study is a systemic review. Literature shows that pregnancies complicated with GDM may have an impaired gut microbiota, and this microbiota can be transmitted to the offspring. Diets can shape the gut microbiota, in fact dietary changes can rapidly change the gut microbiota. However, it generally reverts to the original status with short-term dietary modifications. Authors conclude that the optimal nutritional strategy in GDM patients remains unresolved. It is important that the potential benefits of diet are taken into consideration.

Abstract

Medical nutritional therapy is the first-line approach in managing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Diet is also a powerful modulator of the gut microbiota, whose impact on insulin resistance and the inflammatory response in the host are well known. Changes in the gut microbiota composition have been described in pregnancies either before the onset of GDM or after its diagnosis. The possible modulation of the gut microbiota by dietary interventions in pregnancy is a topic of emerging interest, in consideration of the potential effects on maternal and consequently neonatal health. To date, very few data from observational studies are available about the associations between diet and the gut microbiota in pregnancy complicated by GDM. In this review, we analyzed the available data and discussed the current knowledge about diet manipulation in order to shape the gut microbiota in pregnancy.

Address: Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy. [email protected].; Dietetic and Clinical Nutrition Unit, S. Giovanni Battista Hospital, Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Turin, Italy. [email protected].; Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy. [email protected].; Clinical Nutrition Unit, S. Anna Hospital, Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Turin, Italy. [email protected].; Clinical Nutrition Unit, S. Anna Hospital, Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Turin, Italy. [email protected].; Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, S. Anna Hospital, Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Turin, Italy. [email protected].; Dietetic and Clinical Nutrition Unit, S. Giovanni Battista Hospital, Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Turin, Italy. [email protected].; Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy. [email protected].; Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy. [email protected].

DOI: 10.3390/nu11020330