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 conditions, 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 modulating 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.