The gut microbiome has emerged as a novel determinant of type 1 diabetes (T1D), but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. In this context, major gut microbial metabolites, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), are considered to be an important link between the host and gut microbiome. We, along with other laboratories, have explored how SCFAs and their cognate receptors affect various metabolic conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Though gut microbiome and SCFA-level changes have been reported in T1D and in mouse models of the disease, the role of SCFA receptors in T1D remains under explored. In this review article, we will highlight the existing and possible roles of these receptors in T1D pathology. We conclude with a discussion of SCFA receptors as therapeutic targets for T1D, exploring an exciting new potential for novel treatments of glucometabolic disorders.
Free fatty acid receptor 3 (FFA3) is a recently-deorphanized G protein-coupled receptor. Its ligands are short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are key nutrients derived from the gut microbiome fermentation process that play diverse roles in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis and glycemic control. FFA3 is highly expressed within the intestine, where its role and its effects on physiology and metabolism are unclear. Previous in vivo studies of this receptor have relied on global knockout mouse models, making it difficult to isolate intestine-specific roles of FFA3. To overcome this challenge, we generated an intestine-specific knockout mouse model for FFA3, Villin-Cre-FFA3 (Vil-FFA3). Model validation and general metabolic assessment of male mice on standard chow revealed no major congenital defects. Because dietary changes are known to alter gut microbial composition, and thereby SCFA production, an obesogenic challenge was performed on male Vil-FFA3 mice and their littermate controls to probe for a phenotype on a high-fat, high-sugar "Western diet" (WD) compared to a low-fat control diet (CD). Vil-FFA3 mice versus FFA3fl/fl controls on WD, but not CD, were protected from the development of diet-induced obesity and exhibited significantly less fat mass as well as smaller adipose depositions and adipocytes. Glycemic control was modestly improved in the WD-fed FFA3 group as indicated by lower fasting glucose levels. Intestinal inflammation was also significantly reduced in the WD-fed Vil-FFA3 mice, further supporting protection from obesogenic effects. Furthermore, we observed lower levels of gastric inhibitory protein (GIP) in the WD-fed Vil-FFA3 mice, which may contribute to phenotypic changes. Our findings suggest a novel role of intestinal FFA3 in promoting the metabolic consequences of a WD, including the development of obesity and inflammation, and loss of glycemic control. Moreover, these data support an intestine-specific role of FFA3 in whole-body metabolic homeostasis and in the development of adiposity and hyperglycemia.
Introduction: Social media (SoMe) platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook are increasingly popular tools for dissemination of information. Currently, there is little research into SoMe and its utility in medical education (MedEd) at various training levels. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that residents will be more likely than medical students to use SoMe for MedEd and professional networking; that Twitter will be the dominant platform used by trainees for MedEd; that time constraints will be the primary barrier preventing trainees from using SoMe for MedEd; and that trainees who do use SoMe academically do so to network and collaborate. Methods: A survey based study was conducted at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Surveys were sent to medical students and Internal Medicine residents and their responses recorded. Responses were anonymous. A Pearson Chi-Square analysis was used to analyze the categorical data. Results: Total of 294 responses were collected, 61 residents and 215 students. 51% (148) of responses were women. 50% (11/22) of medical students using Twitter use it for MedEd, vs 100% (9/9) of residents using Twitter use it for MedEd (p-value = 0.008). Only 22% (18/82, 7/31) of both residents and medical students using Instagram use it for MedEd. For residents and students alike, SoMe for MedEd was primarily used for up-to-date clinical guidelines rather than professional networking on both Twitter and Instagram (88% (14/16) and 67% (16/24) respectively). Among Instagram users, 71% (15/21) of trainees chose time constraint as the primary barrier to MedEd use. For Twitter, 100% (5/5) of trainees chose not knowing where to start as the primary barrier. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that SoMe is a valid, but underutilized, education tool. Trainees most often utilized SoMe to keep up to date with clinical guidelines with Twitter being the most prominent platform for MedEd overall and engaging more residents than students. Targeted educational initiatives on these platforms may be a powerful platform to recruit trainees into the field of cardiology.
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