Inulin enhances cognitive function in T2D mice by modulating gut microbes

Although inulin may improve type 2 diabetes (T2D) by modulating gut microbial structure, its role in T2D-associated cognitive disorders (TDACD) is unknown. The purpose of this study was to look into the effect of inulin on cognitive function in T2D mice that had been fed a high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ) and then given a 10% inulin diet. Inulin's effects on physiological con-ditions, glucose-lipid metabolism, memory capacity, histopathology, and colonic flora structure, as well as its metabolite SCFAs, were studied in T2D mice using behavioral tests, H&E staining, ELISA, qRT-PCR, Western Blotting, 16s RNA, and GC and MS coupling. The results showed that inulin could improve the growth condition and regulate the glycolipid metabolism of T2D mice by mod-ulating the structure of colonic flora and the production of its metabolite SCFAs, as well as having a protective effect on the structure of colon, pancreas, and hippocampus, which might regulate the levels of inflammation and hippocampal oxidative stress via the Nrf-2/HO-1/HMGB1 signaling pathway, thus improving T2D cognitive function. This establishes a scientific basis for using inulin to treat TDACD.