Abstract
Objectives*
The standard diagnostic methods for diabetes mellitus (DM) and prediabetes have increasingly been recognized
as sub-optimal. In addition to the assessment of carbohydrate metabolism, measurements of changes in intermediates of fatty acid metabolism – acylcarnitines (AcylCarn) during the mixed meal test (MMT) might provide
additional information regarding the development of insulin insensitivity. This study aimed to compare AcylCarn profiles during MMT in patients with DM, prediabetes, and healthy volunteers.
Materials and Methods
Healthy volunteers (13; control group), previously diagnosed Type 2 DM patients (15), and prediabetes patients
(17) were enrolled in the study (N=45, 31 females, 14 males). MMT meal included yogurt and a muesli bar.
Plasma samples were collected for analysis of serum glucose, c-peptide, and AcylCarn profiles before the meal
and repeated measurements after 30, 60, and 120 minutes. Inter-group differences were analyzed and statistical
significance was determined with the Kruskal–Wallis test.
Results
The meal intake induced changes in AcylCarn concentrations in all study groups. After 60 minutes, the shortchain AcylCarn in control group samples decreased to 69.3% from the initial level (95%CI [60.2%, 78.4%]), which
was significantly lower than in the prediabetes group (p=0.001) and the DM group (p=0.015). Similarly, levels of
medium-chain AcylCarn decreased in the control group to 54.7% from the initial level (95%CI [48.8%, 60.6%]),
which was significantly lower than in the prediabetes group (p = 0.001) and the DM group (p= 0.003). Longchain AcylCarn in the control group decreased to 66% from the initial level (95%CI [57.2%, 74.8%]), which was
significantly lower (p=0.004) than in the prediabetes group (90.2% (95%CI [73%, 107.6%]), but not the DM group
(79.5%. 95%CI [74.3%, 84.8%]).
Conclusions
Our results suggest that measurements of AcylCarn concentrations in blood samples collected during the MMT
could be a useful additional method for diagnosing DM and especially prediabetes. Further studies to determine
specific cut-off values are needed.
The standard diagnostic methods for diabetes mellitus (DM) and prediabetes have increasingly been recognized
as sub-optimal. In addition to the assessment of carbohydrate metabolism, measurements of changes in intermediates of fatty acid metabolism – acylcarnitines (AcylCarn) during the mixed meal test (MMT) might provide
additional information regarding the development of insulin insensitivity. This study aimed to compare AcylCarn profiles during MMT in patients with DM, prediabetes, and healthy volunteers.
Materials and Methods
Healthy volunteers (13; control group), previously diagnosed Type 2 DM patients (15), and prediabetes patients
(17) were enrolled in the study (N=45, 31 females, 14 males). MMT meal included yogurt and a muesli bar.
Plasma samples were collected for analysis of serum glucose, c-peptide, and AcylCarn profiles before the meal
and repeated measurements after 30, 60, and 120 minutes. Inter-group differences were analyzed and statistical
significance was determined with the Kruskal–Wallis test.
Results
The meal intake induced changes in AcylCarn concentrations in all study groups. After 60 minutes, the shortchain AcylCarn in control group samples decreased to 69.3% from the initial level (95%CI [60.2%, 78.4%]), which
was significantly lower than in the prediabetes group (p=0.001) and the DM group (p=0.015). Similarly, levels of
medium-chain AcylCarn decreased in the control group to 54.7% from the initial level (95%CI [48.8%, 60.6%]),
which was significantly lower than in the prediabetes group (p = 0.001) and the DM group (p= 0.003). Longchain AcylCarn in the control group decreased to 66% from the initial level (95%CI [57.2%, 74.8%]), which was
significantly lower (p=0.004) than in the prediabetes group (90.2% (95%CI [73%, 107.6%]), but not the DM group
(79.5%. 95%CI [74.3%, 84.8%]).
Conclusions
Our results suggest that measurements of AcylCarn concentrations in blood samples collected during the MMT
could be a useful additional method for diagnosing DM and especially prediabetes. Further studies to determine
specific cut-off values are needed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 176 |
| Publication status | Published - 2025 |
| Event | RSU Research week 2025 - 16 Dzirciema Street, Riga, Rīga, Latvia Duration: 24 Mar 2025 → 28 Mar 2025 https://rw2025.rsu.lv/ https://rw2025.rsu.lv/knowledge-use-practice https://rw2025.rsu.lv/places https://rw2025.rsu.lv/society-health-welfare |
Conference
| Conference | RSU Research week 2025 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | RW2025 |
| Country/Territory | Latvia |
| City | Rīga |
| Period | 24/03/25 → 28/03/25 |
| Other | International Conference on Medical and Health Research. RSU Scientific Conference |
| Internet address |
Field of Science*
- 3.2 Clinical medicine
- 3.1 Basic medicine
- 3.3 Health sciences
Publication Type*
- 3.4. Other publications in conference proceedings (including local)
