Engineering Probiotics for Diabetes Management: Advances, Challenges, and Future Directions in Translational Microbiology

Int J Nanomedicine. 2024 Oct 28:19:10917-10940. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S492651. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a substantial health concern worldwide, and its incidence is progressively escalating. Conventional pharmacological interventions frequently entail undesirable side effects, and while probiotics offer benefits, they are hindered by constraints such as diminished stability and effectiveness within the gastrointestinal milieu. Given these complications, the advent of bioengineered probiotics is a promising alternative for DM management.

Aim of review: The objective of this review is to provide an exhaustive synthesis of the most recent studies on the use of engineered probiotics in the management of DM. This study aimed to clarify the mechanisms through which these probiotics function, evaluate their clinical effectiveness, and enhance public awareness of their prospective advantages in the treatment of DM.

Key scientific concepts of review: Scholarly critiques have explored diverse methodologies of probiotic engineering, including physical alteration, bioenrichment, and genetic manipulation. These techniques augment the therapeutic potency of probiotics by ameliorating gut microbiota, fortifying the intestinal barrier, modulating metabolic pathways, and regulating immune responses. Such advancements have established engineered probiotics as a credible therapeutic strategy for DM, potentially providing enhanced results compared to conventional treatments.

Keywords: diabetes mellitus; engineered probiotics; genetic engineering; gut microbiota; therapeutic efficacy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diabetes Mellitus* / therapy
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome* / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Probiotics* / therapeutic use
  • Translational Research, Biomedical

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51901160), Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (LY22H020005), and Graduate Scientific Research Foundation of Wenzhou University (3162024003057, 3162024003056, and 3162024004102).