Diabetes along with related comorbidities associated with high disability rates severely threatens human health. The etiology of diabetes is complex. Genetics, environmental factors, eating habits, drug usage, aging, and lack of movement play important roles in the development of diabetes. Intestinal flora is reportedly closely related to the occurrence and development of type 2 diabetes. Herein, we review changes in abundance and proportion of intestinal flora in patients with type 2 diabetes and regulation of intestinal flora through diet, drugs, and surgery to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes. A more appropriate clinical diagnosis and treatment plan could be made considering changes in intestinal flora in the future.
Keywords: insulin resistance; intestinal microbiota; research progress; type 2 diabetes mellitus.