Abstract

BARATA, Joana; FERREIRA, Iolanda  and  AREIA, Ana Luísa. Gestational diabetes: the role of gut microbiota and the use of probiotics. Acta Obstet Ginecol Port [online]. 2022, vol.16, n.3, pp.274-289.  Epub Sep 30, 2022. ISSN 1646-5830.

Gut dysbiosis may contribute to the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes, encouraging the emergence of new prevention and treatment approaches based on the use of probiotics. This review aims to elucidate the changes in the gut microbiota associated with gestational diabetes, how they contribute to its pathophysiology, the mechanisms of action of probiotics, and their role in the prevention and treatment of the disease. The literature review showed that gestational diabetes is associated with an increase of gram-negative bacteria and a decrease of gram-positive bacteria producing short-chain fatty acids. This gut dysbiosis can provide changes in glucose homeostasis through mechanisms involving decreased secretion of incretins and increased inflammation. Although probiotic supplementation improves this dysregulation, their use during pregnancy does not appear to have a significant effect on the prevention and treatment of gestational diabetes.

Keywords : Gestational diabetes; Gut microbiota; Dysbiosis; Probiotics.

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