(HealthDay)—Enrichment of gut microbiota with Lactobacillus reuteri is associated with increased insulin secretion, according to a study published in the October issue of Diabetes Care.

Marie-Christine Simon, Ph.D., from the Heinrich-Heine University in Dusseldorf, Germany, and colleagues conducted a prospective study involving 21 glucose-tolerant humans (11 lean and 10 obese). Over four weeks, participants ingested 1010 L. reuteri SD5865 or placebo. Incretin effect and glucagon-like peptides (GLP)-1 and -2 secretion were assessed using oral glucose tolerance and isoglycemic glucose infusion tests. The authors also assessed muscle and hepatic lipid contents, as well as immune status, cytokines, and endotoxin.

The researchers found that daily administration of L. reuteri SD5865 increased glucose-stimulated GLP-1 release by 76 percent and GLP-2 release by 43 percent (both < 0.01), compared with placebo in glucose-tolerant volunteers. In addition, insulin and C-peptide secretion were 49 and 55 percent higher, respectively (both P < 0.05). Peripheral and hepatic insulin sensitivity, body mass, ectopic fat content, and circulating cytokines were not altered with the intervention.

"This suggests that oral ingestion of one specific strain may serve as a novel therapeutic approach to improve glucose-dependent insulin release," the authors write.

One author disclosed financial ties to Lilly Deutschland. Nutraceutix provided L. reuteri caplets and placebos for the study.

Explore further Effects of n-3 PUFAs on insulin sensitivity unclear

Copyright © 2015 HealthDay. All rights reserved.