Metabolite Profiles Predict Prediabetes in Young People

What is it about?

This study aimed to develop a metabolite-based prediction model for prediabetes in young people with overweight/obesity at risk for type 2 diabetes. The study found that two metabolites, allylphenol sulfate and caprylic acid, beyond known risk factors, including sex, BMI, age, ethnicity, fasting/2-h glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, can predict prediabetes. The study used a robust statistical analysis method, LASSO regression with a stability selection procedure, to identify the predictive metabolites in a discovery cohort of 143 Hispanic youth. The model with metabolites and known risk factors predicted prediabetes more accurately than the same model without metabolites. The study suggests that medium-chain fatty acids and phytochemicals are early indicators of prediabetes in high-risk youth.

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Why is it important?

The study is important because it identifies predictive metabolites for risk of prediabetes in adolescents and young adults, particularly in high-risk Hispanic populations. The findings can help improve prediabetes prediction beyond traditional risk factors such as sex, BMI, age, ethnicity, fasting/2-h glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. The identification of early surrogate markers of prediabetes can potentially lead to earlier intervention and prevention of type 2 diabetes in high-risk youth. Key Takeaways: 1. The study identified two metabolites, allylphenol sulfate and caprylic acid, as predictors of prediabetes beyond traditional risk factors. 2. The predictive models with the two selected metabolites outperformed models that included established type 2 diabetes risk factors in both cohorts. 3. Amino acids, short-chain fatty acids, long-chain fatty acids, or lipids did not notably improve prediabetes prediction. 4. Medium-chain fatty acids and phytochemicals are early indicators of prediabetes in high-risk youth. 5. The study has important implications for improving prediabetes prediction and prevention of type 2 diabetes in high-risk populations, particularly Hispanic adolescents and young adults.