Association of fatty acid profile in plasma lipid fractions with HbA1c in type 2 diabetic patients

Abstract

The aim of this pilot study has been the comparison of fatty acid profiles of diabetic and healthy subjects in order to evaluate the relationship between fatty acid profiles in plasma lipid fractions and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. The fatty acid composition of fasting plasma lipid subfractions has been analyzed in patients (n = 26) diagnosed with T2D and in corresponding control group (n = 26) of healthy voluntary blood donors. Five subfractions containing phospholipids (PLs), diglycerides (DGs), free fatty acids (FFAs), triglycerides (TGs), and cholesterol esters (CEs) were isolated from plasma samples and separated by thin-layer chromatography. Fatty acid composition of these subfractions was analyzed by GC/FID. Significant changes in fatty acid profiles were found in all lipid fractions from T2D patients in comparison with the control group. HbA1c correlated negatively with delta 9 desaturation (9D) index. Significantly positive correlation of palmitic acid levels and negative correlation of oleic acid levels with HbA1c concentration were found in PL and TG fractions with higher significance in TGs. This pilot study has shown possible associations of HbA1c, common parameter measured in routine laboratories, with lipid metabolism. The strongest correlation was found in plasma TGs, especially in case of palmitic and oleic acids. This is the first report showing that metabolic control assessed by HbA1c is negatively associated with delta 9D index.