Abstract
During the pathophysiological course of type 2 diabetes (T2D), several metabolic imbalances occur. There is increasing evidence that metabolic dysfunction far precedes clinical manifestations. Thus, knowing and understanding metabolic imbalances is crucial to unraveling new strategies and molecules (biomarkers) for the early-stage prediction of the disease’s non-clinical phase. Lifestyle interventions must be made with considerable involvement of clinicians, and it should be considered that not all patients will respond in the same manner. Individuals with a high risk of diabetic progression will present compensatory metabolic mechanisms, translated into metabolic biomarkers that will therefore show potential predictive value to differentiate between progressors/non-progressors in T2D. Specific novel biomarkers are being proposed to entrap prediabetes and target progressors to achieve better outcomes. This study provides a review of the latest relevant biomarkers in prediabetes. A search for articles published between 2011 and 2021 was conducted; duplicates were removed, and inclusion criteria were applied. From the 29 studies considered, a survey of the most cited (relevant) biomarkers was conducted and further discussed in the two main identified fields: metabolomics, and miRNA studies.
Highlights
According to the International Diabetes Federation, diabetes affects more than 463 million people, with type 2 diabetes (T2D) being the most common, accounting for around 90% of all diabetes worldwide in 2019 [1]
T2D is associated with severe comorbidities, such as cardiovascular diseases [2], kidney diseases [3], and liver diseases (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver failure, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma) [4], while it increases the possibility of developing several types of cancer
The growing attention to novel glycemic biomarkers is attributable to the limitations demonstrated by both HbA1c and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
Summary
According to the International Diabetes Federation, diabetes affects more than 463 million people, with type 2 diabetes (T2D) being the most common, accounting for around 90% of all diabetes worldwide in 2019 [1]. T2D is associated with severe comorbidities, such as cardiovascular diseases (ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, heart failure, and stable angina being the most prevalent) [2], kidney diseases (such as glomerulosclerosis and glomerular hypertrophy inflammation/fibrosis, which lead to diabetic kidney disease) [3], and liver diseases (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver failure, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma) [4], while it increases the possibility of developing several types of cancer (such as breast cancer, bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, etc.) [5]. There has been a massive effort and investment to find biomarkers that can detect T2D early and support the implementation of prophylactic measures.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
