Role of the Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiome in the Pathophysiology of Diabetes Mellitus

Figure 2

A schematic diagram describing the role of the gastrointestinal tract microbiome in the development of the metabolic syndrome that leads to diabetes mellitus pathogenesis. Microbial dysbiosis impairs intestinal wall integrity and allows translocation of toxins from the gut lumen to the systemic circulation. This endotoxemia leads to low-grade inflammation, autoimmunity, and oxidative stress that may lead to beta cell destruction or insulin resistance.