DYSREGULATION of certain amino and fatty acids in late pregnancy could influence the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes (T2D) for women with a history of gestational diabetes, according to recently0presented research. The findings suggest that while altered amino acid metabolism raises T2D risk, fatty acid and lipid irregularities appear to lower it.
“Women who experience gestational diabetes face over double the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes compared to the general population,” noted the lead author. “In previous studies, we identified common risk factors for diabetes in women with gestational diabetes, but a key question remains: can early biomarkers help predict which of these women may eventually develop Type 2 diabetes?” Chen explained.
The research team studied 102 women from a cohort of patients diagnosed with gestational diabetes in the early 1990s. Participants were monitored from their third trimester up to 12 years postpartum, undergoing regular glucose tolerance testing. Researchers defined type 2 diabetes onset as either a fasting glucose concentration of 126 mg/dL or above or a 2-hour glucose level of at least 200 mg/dL. Over the course of the study, 53 of the women developed type 2 diabetes.
Analysing 561 samples, Chen and colleagues identified significant metabolic pathways associated with T2D, including arginine and proline metabolism, glycine, serine, alanine, threonine, and lysine metabolism. Dysregulation in these pathways correlated with higher diabetes incidence. By contrast, irregularities in C21-steroid hormone biosynthesis and fatty acid biosynthesis were linked to a decreased risk.
The study further found that elevated amino acid levels in late pregnancy correlated with higher 2-hour glucose levels and reduced beta-cell function 15–60 months postpartum. Conversely, increased fatty acids and lipid levels were associated with improved fasting glucose levels and insulin sensitivity.
This research has highlighted the potential of specific metabolic biomarkers to signal increased diabetes risk, offering insights into targeted prevention strategies for at-risk women.
Reference
Chen Z. Presentation 010. ObesityWeek, 3–6, 2024.
