Microbiome Insulin Sensitivity Study

Pediatric type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing in prevalence and its incidence is twice as high in girls as in boys. Pediatric onset of T2D occurs exclusively in obese youth and is tightly linked with puberty, suggesting a link with the physiologic insulin resistance of puberty. However, markers are as yet unavailable to identify those at highest risk for progression to T2D. Results from the Treatment Options for Diabetes in Youth (TODAY) Study demonstrate that pediatric T2D appears to progress rapidly in youth, forecasting poor quality of life and early complications. Therefore, identifying those most at risk and developing a better understanding of the pathophysiology of onset of T2D in youth are critical for preventing T2D, particularly in obese girls.

The investigators overarching hypothesis is that effects of obesity on metabolic and hormonal changes during puberty place obese girls at greatest risk for early T2D, similar to that which is seen in women with gestational diabetes. More specifically, sex steroid effects on insulin resistance, β-cell function, and body composition may contribute to both the pubertal increase in risk for T2D, as well as the disproportionately higher prevalence of T2D among girls. The investigators long-term goal is to design a focused intervention aimed to prevent progression to T2D during puberty. In order to do this it is necessary to: 1. Develop a better understanding of underlying mechanisms for β-cell failure in obese youth during puberty, and 2. Identify early markers for predicting which obese youth will progress to early T2D.

Alterations in gut microbiota appear to play an important role in mediating obesity and insulin resistance through poorly understood mechanisms. Current hypotheses are that shifts in the composition of the gut microbiome lead to dysregulation of complex polysaccharide metabolism, altered production of gut hormones regulating energy balance, and local and systemic inflammation. The gut microbiome composition has been reported to change during pregnancy and may play a role in metabolic changes during this time. As metabolic and hormonal changes in puberty parallel those in pregnancy, shifts in the microbiome may also accompany metabolic shifts during puberty. Currently, there are no published studies evaluating shifts in human gut microbiome composition during puberty. Consequently, the overall goal of this study is to collect cross-sectional preliminary data to inform feasibility of a future longitudinal study of metabolic and hormonal changes in lean and obese youth during the pubertal transition.