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Microbiome–metabolome dynamics associated with impaired glucose control and responses to lifestyle changes
Hao Wu, Bo‐Min Lv, Luqian Zhi, Yikai Shao, Xinyan Liu, Matthias Mitteregger, Rima Chakaroun, Valentina Tremaroli et al.. Nature Medicine, 2025-04-08
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex disease shaped by genetic and environmental factors, including the gut microbiome. Recent research revealed pathophysiological heterogeneity and distinct subgroups in both T2D and prediabetes, prompting exploration of personalized risk factors. Using metabolomics in two Swedish cohorts (n = 1,167), we identified over 500 blood metabolites associated with impaired glucose control, with approximately one-third linked to an altered gut microbiome. Our findings identified metabolic disruptions in microbiome-metabolome dynamics as potential mediators of compromised glucose homeostasis, as illustrated by the potential interactions between Hominifimenecus microfluidus and Blautia wexlerae via hippurate. Short-term lifestyle changes, for example, diet and exercise, modulated microbiome-associated metabolites in a lifestyle-specific manner. This study suggests that the microbiome-metabolome axis is a modifiable target for T2D management, with optimal health benefits achievable through a combination of lifestyle modifications.
Key findings
- Recent research revealed pathophysiological heterogeneity and distinct subgroups in both T2D and prediabetes, prompting exploration of personalized risk factors.
- Using metabolomics in two Swedish cohorts (n = 1,167), we identified over 500 blood metabolites associated with impaired glucose control, with approximately one-third linked to an altered gut microbiome.
- Our findings identified metabolic disruptions in microbiome-metabolome dynamics as potential mediators of compromised glucose homeostasis, as illustrated by the potential interactions between Hominifimenecus microfluidus and Blautia wexlerae via hippurate.
- This study suggests that the microbiome-metabolome axis is a modifiable target for T2D management, with optimal health benefits achievable through a combination of lifestyle modifications.
Why it matters
This study is about gut microbiome and metabolome patterns linked to impaired glucose control and type 2 diabetes, not about Alzheimer's disease. It provides no information relevant to treating, curing, or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
New to this subject? Start with our plain-English guide: Prevention →
Study details
- Participants1,167
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 62/100
Published in a top-tier journal. Scored zero for study design, effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 10 / 10 | Tier 1 — top-tier general journal (Nature Medicine) |
| Journal's citation record | 4 / 4 | Nature Medicine: journal h-index 763 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 3 / 4 | 1,167 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 4 / 7 | Cited 64 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 21.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 16.7× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 64 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 4 / 4 | Last-listed author Fredrik Bäckhed: h-index 125 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Cleveland Clinic: institution h-index 1,139 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 3 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 10 institution(s) in 4 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40200054) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 62 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1038/s41591-025-03642-6
- PubMed: 40200054
- Original source →
- Free full text: Nature Medicine →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record's author list ends in “et al.”, so not every author is named. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Wu, H., Lv, B., Zhi, L., Shao, Y., Liu, X., Mitteregger, M., et al. (2025). Microbiome–metabolome dynamics associated with impaired glucose control and responses to lifestyle changes. Nature Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-03642-6
Vancouver
Wu H, Lv B, Zhi L, Shao Y, Liu X, Mitteregger M, et al. Microbiome–metabolome dynamics associated with impaired glucose control and responses to lifestyle changes. Nature Medicine. 2025. doi:10.1038/s41591-025-03642-6. PMID: 40200054.
BibTeX
@article{wu2025-40200054,
author = {Wu, Hao and Lv, Bo‐Min and Zhi, Luqian and Shao, Yikai and Liu, Xinyan and Mitteregger, Matthias and Chakaroun, Rima and Tremaroli, Valentina and others},
title = {{Microbiome–metabolome dynamics associated with impaired glucose control and responses to lifestyle changes}},
journal = {Nature Medicine},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1038/s41591-025-03642-6},
pmid = {40200054},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-03642-6}
}