Reversing the genetic predisposition to the inactivity and development of Type 2 diabetes with fecal
transplants and gut microbiota ablation (AiSuoLi_W)

Main funder

Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation

Funder's project number: 7F36E1

Funds granted by main funder (€)

12 000,00

Funding program

Foundation (Funding programs)

Project timetable

Project start date: 01/03/2019

Project end date: 30/11/2020

Summary

Gut dysbiosis is strongly linked with metabolic diseases, increased anxiety and mental health disorders as are the cardiometabolic diseases and mood disorders, rendering the linkages between gut microbiota, metabolic health and mood disorders, and gut-brain pathway highly attracting study targets. As to the scientific impact the results of this project, we will identify new genetic and physiologic mechanisms that connect the gut microbiota and the host to increase the understanding of host-microbe interactions. It will help in designing future treatment strategies for Type 2 diabetes, and related metabolic disorders. In addition, this project will give important information of gut-brain -interactions that are related to metabolic and mood disorders. As to the societal impact of this research, development of (cost-) effective treatment strategies for type 2 diabetes (T2D) is of utmost importance. The National Institute for Health and Welfare estimates that in Finland ~330 million euros per year are destined to treat patients with obesity-related T2D. Therefore effective prevention/treatment strategies would cause important savings to Finnish economy. To date, a study in humans has shown that in metabolic syndrome patients insulin sensitivity can be improved by fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) of lean donor; on the other hand, it is also shown that mice became obese after FMT of obese human donor. Therefore, we are optimistic that in the future our results from rats are applicable to humans.