Comparison of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. Count in Faeces of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and healthy people

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that is associated with factors such as nutrition and lifestyle. Recent studies have shown a relationship between normal intestinal flora and diabetes. The aim of this study was to compare the number of different species of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in Type 2 diabetic patients and healthy individuals. From February to October 2015, 20 patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and 20 healthy individuals as controls were selected. To distinguish these two groups. 2-hour postprandial glucose test, fasting blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin in both groups were measured. Fresh fecal samples were cultured on selective mediums for identification of 4 species of Lactobacillus (L. acidophilus. L. salivaricus, L fermentum. and L. reuteri), and 3 species of Bifidobacteria (B. langum, B. bifidum, and B. adolescentis). To determine the absolute number of Bifidobacteriunn and Lactobacillus spp., in gut microbiota, pour plate assay was used. Interestingly, comparison of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus spp. in the two groups showed a significant decrease in most species except B. adolescentis in Type 2 diabetic patients. In studied samples; L. reuteri was not found in diabetic patients. The study shows that imbalance in the intestinal microbiota can be one of the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Also, it suggests that suitable species of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium can be used in the diet of Type 2 diabetes mellitus as a treatment approach.