A recent study led by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder reveals that antibiotic use during infancy may disrupt the development of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, thereby increasing the risk of diabetes later in life. The research, published in Science, highlights the pivotal role that specific microbes play during early pancreatic development, offering hope for future treatments aimed at preventing or even reversing diabetes.
The study’s findings underscore the importance of the infant microbiome—the collection of bacteria and fungi that colonize the body early in life. Disrupting this microbiome with antibiotics can interfere with the growth of essential pancreatic cells, known as beta cells, which are responsible for producing insulin. Jennifer Hill, assistant professor at CU’s BioFrontiers Institute, explained that this research could lead to new strategies in diabetes prevention and treatment by leveraging the power of beneficial microbes.
Environmental Factors and Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, a chronic condition in which the pancreas fails to produce insulin, is known to have a strong genetic component. However, environmental factors, such as early-life microbiome exposure, may also influence the onset of the disease. While identical twins share the same genetic predisposition, only one twin typically develops Type 1 diabetes, suggesting that environmental factors play a significant role in disease development.
Hill has long studied the relationship between microbes and diabetes risk. Previous studies have shown that children born vaginally or those who are breastfed—both of which support a healthy microbiome—are less likely to develop Type 1 diabetes. Conversely, early antibiotic use has been linked to an increased risk, likely due to the disruption of beneficial microbes.
Critical Period for Pancreatic Development
According to Hill, there is a critical window in an infant’s first year where beta cell growth in the pancreas accelerates. If this process is disrupted, it could potentially lead to diabetes. The researchers conducted experiments on mice to simulate this period of development, administering broad-spectrum antibiotics during a time that corresponds to 7-12 months of age in humans. The results showed that the mice exposed to antibiotics had fewer insulin-producing cells, higher blood sugar levels, and worse overall metabolic function as adults.
Microbes and Beta Cell Development
Further investigations into the role of specific microbes revealed that certain microorganisms could promote the growth of beta cells. The most promising candidate was the fungus Candida dubliniensis. In a series of experiments, researchers inoculated newborn mice with fecal samples from healthy infants aged 7-12 months. The results were striking—mice that received the fecal sample saw a boost in beta cell production. Notably, Candida dubliniensis was abundant in these samples during the critical developmental period.
In a breakthrough finding, when the fungus was administered to male mice predisposed to Type 1 diabetes, the incidence of the disease was reduced by over 80%. Moreover, when adult mice with damaged insulin-producing cells were given the fungus, their pancreatic cells regenerated, raising hopes for potential treatments that could reverse diabetes in humans.
Towards Microbe-Based Treatments
Although Hill emphasized that she is not against the use of antibiotics, she envisions a future where microbe-based therapies could complement antibiotics, helping to restore the beneficial microbes lost during treatment. Fecal microbiota transplants, or “poop slushies,” have already been explored as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes, which also affects pancreatic function.
However, Hill cautioned that introducing microbes that are beneficial in childhood may not always be safe for adults. Instead, she hopes scientists can one day harness the specific mechanisms used by these microbes to create targeted treatments aimed at healing the pancreas and reversing diabetes.
In collaboration with her team, Hill is working on innovative research at CU Boulder’s new germ-free facility, where animals are raised in sterile conditions to study the role of microbes in health. The goal is to better understand how beneficial microbes contribute to human health and potentially develop new therapeutic strategies for metabolic disorders like diabetes.
The Future of Microbe-Based Therapies
Hill’s research suggests that our current understanding of germs may need to shift. Rather than simply seeking to eliminate harmful pathogens, scientists may one day use beneficial microbes to improve human health, including the potential to heal the pancreas and treat conditions like Type 1 diabetes.
By investigating the complex relationship between the microbiome and metabolic health, Hill and her colleagues are laying the groundwork for innovative therapies that could revolutionize how we approach diabetes prevention and treatment.
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