The relationship between short chain fatty acid and insulin resistance

Abstract

Obesity and insulin sensitivity disorders are associated, but some obese individuals seem to be protected from insulin resistance. Recently, the Short-Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA) was discovered to correlate with insulin resistance. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between SCFA levels and insulin resistance in obese patients. This was a cross-sectional study. The data were collected by measuring fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1C, HOMA-IR, and SCFA levels, then analyzed using Pearson correlation test and Point-biserial correlation analysis. The HOMA-IR levels and the degree of obesity were not significantly associated (P=0.121). Total levels of SCFA were not significantly different between class 1 and 2 obesities, while the p-values were 0.184 and 0.237, respectively. Based on Point-biserial correlation analysis, total SCFA levels were not significantly correlated with insulin resistance in obese individuals without diabetes mellitus (r=-0.233; P=0.178). Insulin resistance has no significant relationship with class 1 and 2 obesities. Furthermore, SCFA levels in obese individuals without insulin resistance were higher than in their counterpart group, although not significantly. There is no significant relationship between SCFA and insulin resistance in non-diabetic obese individuals.