The effect of pro-, pre- and synbiotics on the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism

The prevalence of diabetes and its precursor state - the prediabetes - is exponentially spreading worldwide. More and more data suggest the role of gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of the aforementioned conditions. It is well known that pre-, probiotics, and their combination called synbiotics may influence the composition of the gut microflora. Thus they may play a key role in the progression or retardation of the pathogenetic process of diabetes. It is also supported by more and more observations that different drugs - in particular the antidiabetic drugs - can modify the composition of the microbiome. Based on literary data, the authors review the influencing effects of pre-, pro-, and synbiotics on the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, as well as their potential role in the pathogenesis of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and summarize briefly the role of antidiabetic drugs on the gut microbiome composition.