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Metabolic markers in American Indians predicted type 2 diabetes
Researchers have detected metabolic markers that could help predict type 2 diabetes in American Indians, a population with a disproportionately high rate of the disease, according to research published in Diabetes Care.
Jinying Zhao, MD, PhD, of Tulane University School of Public Health, New Orleans, and colleagues analyzed data from American Indians participating in the Strong Heart Family Study, designed to identify genetic factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
“In this prospective investigation using an untargeted high-resolution metabolomics approach, we found that seven metabolites independently predict future onset of type 2 diabetes in American Indians,” the researchers wrote.
Using untargeted high-resolution liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, the researchers identified participants who developed incident diabetes (n=133) and those who did not (n=298) from 2,117 normoglycemic American Indians followed for approximately 5.5 years.
Relative abundances of metabolites were quantified in baseline fasting plasma. The researchers examined the prospective association of each metabolite with risk of developing type 2 diabetes using logistic regression; adjustments were made for established diabetes risk factors.
Altered levels of seven metabolites — five matching known metabolites and two unknown — significantly predicted type 2 diabetes risk. One metabolite matching 2-hydroxybiphenyl was significantly associated with higher risk. Four matching PC (22:6/20:4), (3S)-7-hydroxy-2’,3’,4’,5’,8-pentamethoxyisoflavan or tetrapeptides were significantly associated with lower risk.
Using a multimarker score comprising all seven metabolites, risk prediction was significantly improved beyond established risk factors, including BMI, fasting glucose and insulin resistance.
The researchers noted their approach allowed identification of markers that may be specific to American Indians, whose genetic makeup or lifestyle could be distinct from populations of European descent.
“Targeting biological pathways that involve these newly detected metabolites would help to develop early preventive and therapeutic strategies tailored to American Indians, an ethnically important but traditionally understudied minority population,” the researchers wrote.
Disclosure: This study was supported by NIH grants and cooperative agreement grants.