Abstract
IntroductionObesity is a precursor of type 2 diabetes (T2D).ObjectivesOur aim was to identify metabolic signatures of T2D and dietary factors unique to obesity.MethodsWe examined a subsample of the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (BPRHS) population with a high prevalence of obesity and T2D at baseline (n = 806) and participants (without T2D at baseline) at 5-year follow-up (n = 412). We determined differences in metabolite profiles between T2D and non-T2D participants of the whole sample and according to abdominal obesity status. Enrichment analysis was performed to identify metabolic pathways that were over-represented by metabolites that differed between T2D and non-T2D participants. T2D-associated metabolites unique to obesity were examined for correlation with dietary food groups to understand metabolic links between dietary intake and T2D risk. False Discovery Rate method was used to correct for multiple testing.ResultsOf 526 targeted metabolites, 179 differed between T2D and non-T2D in the whole sample, 64 in non-obese participants and 120 unique to participants with abdominal obesity. Twenty-four of 120 metabolites were replicated and were associated with T2D incidence at 5-year follow-up. Enrichment analysis pointed to three metabolic pathways that were overrepresented in obesity-associated T2D: phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), long-chain fatty acids, and glutamate metabolism. Elevated intakes of three food groups, energy-dense takeout food, dairy intake and sugar-sweetened beverages, associated with 13 metabolites represented by the three pathways.ConclusionMetabolic signatures of lipid and glutamate metabolism link obesity to T2D, in parallel with increased intake of dairy and sugar-sweetened beverages, thereby providing insight into the relationship between dietary habits and T2D risk.
Highlights
Obesity is a precursor of type 2 diabetes (T2D)
After correction for multiple testing based on FDR and excluding those metabolites that were associated with T2D in participants without obesity, we found 120 metabolites that are significantly associated with T2D (Table S2)
As we showed obesity was strongly associated with T2D at the baseline, and T2D incidence at 5-year follow-up, we tested whether the 120 metabolites that were associated with T2D in obese participants at base line were associated with future T2D incidence (i.e., 5-year follow-up)
Summary
Obesity is a precursor of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Objectives Our aim was to identify metabolic signatures of T2D and dietary factors unique to obesity. T2D-associated metabolites unique to obesity were examined for correlation with dietary food groups to understand metabolic links between dietary intake and T2D risk. Conclusion Metabolic signatures of lipid and glutamate metabolism link obesity to T2D, in parallel with increased intake of dairy and sugar-sweetened beverages, thereby providing insight into the relationship between dietary habits and T2D risk. Individuals with obesity, those with central adiposity, have an increased risk of developing T2D, compared to those with normal weight (Serrano Rios, 1998; Smith, 2015) Obesity is both a consequence and driver of metabolic imbalances and dysfunctional metabolic processes. It has been established rather unequivocally that there are strong links between lifestyle factors and risk and incidence of type 2 diabetes (Magkos et al, 2020), dietary intakes (Toi et al, 2020). The metabolic links between dietary intake and T2D risk remain to be explored
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
