The metabolic potential of inflammatory and insulinaemic dietary patterns and risk of type 2 diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Diets with higher inflammatory and insulinaemic potential have been associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. However, it remains unknown whether plasma metabolomic profiles related to proinflammatory/hyperinsulinaemic diets and to inflammatory/insulin biomarkers are associated with type 2 diabetes risk. METHODS: We analysed 6840 participants from the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study to identify the plasma metabolome related to empirical dietary inflammatory pattern (EDIP), empirical dietary index for hyperinsulinemia (EDIH), four circulating inflammatory biomarkers and C-peptide. Dietary intakes were assessed using validated food frequency questionnaires. Plasma metabolomic profiling was conducted by LC-MS/MS. Metabolomic signatures were derived using elastic net regression. Multivariable Cox regression was used to examine associations of the metabolomic profiles with type 2 diabetes risk. RESULTS: We identified 27 metabolites commonly associated with both EDIP and inflammatory biomarker z score and 21 commonly associated with both EDIH and C-peptide. Higher metabolomic dietary inflammatory potential (MDIP), reflecting higher metabolic potential of both an inflammatory dietary pattern and circulating inflammatory biomarkers, was associated with higher type 2 diabetes risk. The HR comparing highest vs lowest quartiles of MDIP was 3.26 (95% CI 2.39, 4.44). We observed a strong positive association with type 2 diabetes risk for the metabolomic signature associated with EDIP-only (HR 3.75; 95% CI 2.71, 5.17) or inflammatory biomarkers-only (HR 4.07; 95% CI 2.91, 5.69). In addition, higher metabolomic dietary index for hyperinsulinaemia (MDIH), reflecting higher metabolic potential of both an insulinaemic dietary pattern and circulating C-peptide, was associated with greater type 2 diabetes risk (HR 3.00; 95% CI 2.22, 4.06); further associations with type 2 diabetes were HR 2.79 (95% CI 2.07, 3.76) for EDIH-only signature and HR 3.89 (95% CI 2.82, 5.35) for C-peptide-only signature. The diet scores were significantly associated with risk, although adjustment for the corresponding metabolomic signature scores attenuated the associations with type 2 diabetes, these remained significant. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The metabolomic signatures reflecting proinflammatory or hyperinsulinaemic diets and related biomarkers were positively associated with type 2 diabetes risk, supporting that these dietary patterns may influence type 2 diabetes risk via the regulation of metabolism.

Childhood, adolescent, and adulthood adiposity are associated with risk of PCOS: a Mendelian randomization study with meta-analysis.

STUDY QUESTION: What is the influence of body composition during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, as well as metabolic parameters, on incident polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? SUMMARY ANSWER: Excess body fat, even during childhood/adolescence, and metabolic parameters, suggestive of hyperinsulinaemia/insulin resistance, significantly impact the risk of PCOS in a linear fashion. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Observational and Mendelian randomization (MR) data have demonstrated an association between adulthood overweight/obesity and development of PCOS. However, the contribution of body composition in childhood/adolescence to incident PCOS is unclear, as is the influence of childhood overweight/obesity. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis and integrated our results with a previously published systematic review. Two blinded investigators screened abstracts published between November 2010 and May 2021. Furthermore, we incorporated summary statistics from genome-wide association study (GWAS) data in subjects of European ancestry. Adult overweight was defined as BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and obesity as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2; in Asian subjects, overweight was defined as BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2 and obesity as BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: We utilized meta-analysis and MR together to allow synthesis of genetic and observational data. For the systematic review, the search revealed 71 studies, of which 63 were included in meta-analysis by calculating odds ratios (ORs) using the random-effects model. Furthermore, we conducted a two-sample MR study of GWAS data to determine the impact of childhood and adult body size (defined categorically by BMI and childhood body size proportions), abnormal body composition and metabolic parameters (higher fasting serum insulin or lower sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentration) on the odds of incident PCOS via the inverse-variance weighted method. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Significant associations were shown between body composition and PCOS incidence. From the systematic review/meta-analysis, women with overweight (OR 3.80, 2.87-5.03), obesity (OR 4.99, 3.74-6.67), and central obesity (OR 2.93, 2.08-4.12) had increased odds of PCOS. For adolescents with overweight and/or obesity, the PCOS odds were greater than for adults. From MR, for every standard deviation increase in BMI (4.8 kg/m2), the odds of PCOS increased by 2.76 (2.27-3.35). Childhood body size had an independent effect on PCOS odds after adjusting for adult body size (OR: 2.56, 1.57-4.20). Genetically determined body fat percentage (OR 3.05, 2.24-4.15), whole body fat mass (OR 2.53, 2.04-3.14), fasting serum insulin (OR 6.98, 2.02-24.13), and SHBG concentration (OR 0.74, 0.64-0.87) were all significantly associated with PCOS in a linear relation. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The meta-analysis included studies which were cross-sectional and retrospective, limiting our ability to determine causality. MR was limited by interrogating subjects only of European ancestry and including cases classified by either self-diagnosis or diagnostic criteria. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our study demonstrates for the first time a critical role of the impact of excess childhood/adolescent adiposity on the pathophysiology of adult PCOS. Our results, driven by genetically determined childhood/adolescent body composition, higher BMI, hyperinsulinaemia, and lower SHBG, clearly favour obesity driving the metabolic, but not reproductive, PCOS phenotype. Overall, effective weight maintenance, even from the early years, is likely to reduce the risk of this reproductive endocrine disorder. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): S.S.Z. was funded by a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Academic Clinical Lectureship. U.A. is chair of the NIHR Steering Committee Trial-CASSANDRA-DN. No other authors declare any sources of funding or relevant conflicts of interest. The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relations that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Canagliflozin reduces proteinuria by targeting hyperinsulinaemia in diabetes patients with heart failure: A post hoc analysis of the CANDLE trial.

AIM: To investigate factors associated with proteinuria regression in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with canagliflozin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a post hoc analysis of the CANDLE trial (UMIN000017669), which compared the effect of 24 weeks of treatment with canagliflozin or glimepiride for changes in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in patients with T2DM and chronic heart failure (CHF). Factors associated with regression of proteinuria at 24 weeks were evaluated with multivariate logistic models. RESULTS: The rate of regression of proteinuria was higher (28/102, 27.5% vs. 12/112, 10.7%), and that of progression was lower (9/102, 8.8% vs. 26/112, 23.2%), in the canagliflozin versus the glimepiride group (P = .0001). There were no differences in the change in the estimated glomerular filtration rate category between groups. Insulin level, homeostatic model assessment of ß-cell function, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance and estimated plasma volume were decreased at 24 weeks in the regression subclass but not in the progression subclass, suggesting that regression of proteinuria is associated with the declines in these values in the canagliflozin group. Higher insulin level at baseline was solely associated with proteinuria regression in the multivariate logistic regression model (baseline insulin, as per a 1-mlU/L increase, odds ratio 1.24 [1.05-1.47], P = .011). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with T2DM and CHF, regression of proteinuria with canagliflozin treatment was associated with the pretreatment insulin level. These results may provide clinicians with novel mechanistic insights into the beneficial effects of canagliflozin on renal outcomes and may warrant discussion for selecting preferred patient profiles, including pretreatment insulin levels.

Insulinaemic potential of diet and lifestyle and risk of type 2 diabetes in the Iranian adults: result from Yazd health study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that insulin directly affects the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) but the relationship between insulinaemic potential of diet and lifestyle and the T2DM risk is still unknown. Accordingly, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the insulinaemic potential of diet and lifestyle based on indices including empirical dietary index for hyperinsulinaemia (EDIH), empirical lifestyle index for hyperinsulinaemia (ELIH), empirical dietary index for insulin resistance (EDIR) and empirical lifestyle index for insulin resistance (ELIR) and the T2DM risk in the Iranian adults. METHODS: This study was performed on data of enrollment phase of the Yazd Health Study (YaHS) and TAghzieh Mardom-e-Yazd (Yazd Nutrition Study) (TaMYZ) on 5714 adults aged 20-70 years (mean: 36.29 years). A validated food frequency questionnaire and clinical tests were used to assess food intake and T2DM ascertainment, respectively. We used the Cox regression analysis for determining the relationship between the indices and T2DM risk. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounding variables, our findings showed that diet with higher ELIH score is 2.28 times more likely for T2DM risk (RR 2.28 [95% CI 1.69-2.56]), but there was no significant relationship between the EDIH, ELIR and EDIR scores and T2DM risk in adults, in the entire study population. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that diets with higher ELIH score increases the T2DM risk, but there was no significant relationship between the EDIH, ELIR and EDIR scores and T2DM risk. Further epidemiological studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Ketosis Suppression and Ageing (KetoSAge): The Effects of Suppressing Ketosis in Long Term Keto-Adapted Non-Athletic Females.

Most studies on ketosis have focused on short-term effects, male athletes, or weight loss. Hereby, we studied the effects of short-term ketosis suppression in healthy women on long-standing ketosis. Ten lean (BMI 20.5 ± 1.4), metabolically healthy, pre-menopausal women (age 32.3 ± 8.9) maintaining nutritional ketosis (NK) for > 1 year (3.9 years ± 2.3) underwent three 21-day phases: nutritional ketosis (NK; P1), suppressed ketosis (SuK; P2), and returned to NK (P3). Adherence to each phase was confirmed with daily capillary D-beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) tests (P1 = 1.9 ± 0.7; P2 = 0.1 ± 0.1; and P3 = 1.9 ± 0.6 pmol/L). Ageing biomarkers and anthropometrics were evaluated at the end of each phase. Ketosis suppression significantly increased: insulin, 1.78-fold from 33.60 (± 8.63) to 59.80 (± 14.69) pmol/L (p = 0.0002); IGF1, 1.83-fold from 149.30 (± 32.96) to 273.40 (± 85.66) µg/L (p = 0.0045); glucose, 1.17-fold from 78.6 (± 9.5) to 92.2 (± 10.6) mg/dL (p = 0.0088); respiratory quotient (RQ), 1.09-fold 0.66 (± 0.05) to 0.72 (± 0.06; p = 0.0427); and PAI-1, 13.34 (± 6.85) to 16.69 (± 6.26) ng/mL (p = 0.0428). VEGF, EGF, and monocyte chemotactic protein also significantly increased, indicating a pro-inflammatory shift. Sustained ketosis showed no adverse health effects, and may mitigate hyperinsulinemia without impairing metabolic flexibility in metabolically healthy women.

Prediabetes blunts DPP4 genetic control of postprandial glycaemia and insulin secretion.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Imbalances in glucose metabolism are hallmarks of clinically silent prediabetes (defined as impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance) representing dysmetabolism trajectories leading to type 2 diabetes. CD26/dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) is a clinically proven molecular target of diabetes-controlling drugs but the DPP4 gene control of dysglycaemia is not proven. METHODS: We dissected the genetic control of post-OGTT and insulin release responses by the DPP4 gene in a Portuguese population-based cohort of mainly European ancestry that comprised individuals with normoglycaemia and prediabetes, and in mouse experimental models of Dpp4 deficiency and hyperenergetic diet. RESULTS: In individuals with normoglycaemia, DPP4 single-nucleotide variants governed glycaemic excursions (rs4664446, p=1.63x10-7) and C-peptide release responses (rs2300757, p=6.86x10-5) upon OGTT. Association with blood glucose levels was stronger at 30 min OGTT, but a higher association with the genetic control of insulin secretion was detected in later phases of the post-OGTT response, suggesting that the DPP4 gene directly senses glucose challenges. Accordingly, in mice fed a normal chow diet but not a high-fat diet, we found that, under OGTT, expression of Dpp4 is strongly downregulated at 30 min in the mouse liver. Strikingly, no genetic association was found in prediabetic individuals, indicating that post-OGTT control by DPP4 is abrogated in prediabetes. Furthermore, Dpp4 KO mice provided concordant evidence that Dpp4 modulates post-OGTT C-peptide release in normoglycaemic but not dysmetabolic states. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: These results showed the DPP4 gene as a strong determinant of post-OGTT levels via glucose-sensing mechanisms that are abrogated in prediabetes. We propose that impairments in DPP4 control of post-OGTT insulin responses are part of molecular mechanisms underlying early metabolic disturbances associated with type 2 diabetes.

Pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africans.

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is the region with the highest projected rates of increase in type 2 diabetes (129% by 2045), which will exacerbate the already high prevalence of type 2 diabetes complications and comorbidities in SSA. In addition, SSA is grappling with poverty-related health problems and infectious diseases and is also undergoing the most rapid rates of urbanisation globally. These socioenvironmental and lifestyle factors may interact with genetic factors to alter the pathophysiological sequence leading to type 2 diabetes in sub-Saharan African populations. Indeed, current evidence from SSA and the diaspora suggests that the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes in Black Africans is different from that in their European counterparts. Studies from the diaspora suggest that insulin clearance is the primary defect underlying the development of type 2 diabetes. We propose that, among Black Africans from SSA, hyperinsulinaemia due to a combination of both increased insulin secretion and reduced hepatic insulin clearance is the primary defect, which promotes obesity and insulin resistance, exacerbating the hyperinsulinaemia and eventually leading to beta cell failure and type 2 diabetes. Nonetheless, the current understanding of the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and the clinical guidelines for preventing and managing the disease are largely based on studies including participants of predominately White European ancestry. In this review, we summarise the existing knowledge base and data from the only non-pharmacological intervention that explores the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes in SSA. We also highlight factors that may influence the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes in SSA, such as social determinants, infectious diseases and genetic and epigenetic influences.

Insulin potentiates the response to capsaicin in dorsal root ganglion neurons in vitro and muscle afferents ex vivo in normal healthy rodents.

Systemic insulin administration evokes sympathoexcitatory actions, but the mechanisms underlying these observations are unknown. We reported that insulin sensitizes the response of thin-fibre primary afferents, as well as the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) that subserves them, to mechanical stimuli. However, little is known about the effects of insulin on primary neuronal responses to chemical stimuli. TRPV1, whose agonist is capsaicin (CAP), is widely expressed on chemically sensitive metaboreceptors and/or nociceptors. The aim of this investigation was to determine the effects of insulin on CAP-activated currents in small DRG neurons and CAP-induced action potentials in thin-fibre muscle afferents of normal healthy rodents. Additionally, we investigated whether insulin potentiates sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) responses to CAP. In whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from cultured mice DRG neurons in vitro, the fold change in CAP-activated current from pre- to post-application of insulin (n = 13) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than with a vehicle control (n = 14). Similar results were observed in single-fibre recording experiments ex vivo as insulin potentiated CAP-induced action potentials compared to vehicle controls (n = 9 per group, P < 0.05). Furthermore, insulin receptor blockade with GSK1838705 significantly suppressed the insulin-induced augmentation in CAP-activated currents (n = 13) as well as the response magnitude of CAP-induced action potentials (n = 9). Likewise, the renal SNA response to CAP after intramuscular injection of insulin (n = 8) was significantly (P < 0.05) greater compared to vehicle (n = 9). The findings suggest that insulin potentiates TRPV1 responsiveness to CAP at the DRG and muscle tissue levels, possibly contributing to the augmentation in sympathoexcitation during activities such as physical exercise. KEY POINTS: Evidence suggests insulin centrally activates the sympathetic nervous system, and a chemical stimulus to tissues activates the sympathetic nervous system via thin fibre muscle afferents. Insulin is reported to modulate putative chemical-sensitive channels in the dorsal root ganglion neurons of these afferents. In the present study, it is demonstrated that insulin potentiates the responsiveness of thin fibre afferents to capsaicin at muscle tissue levels as well as at the level of dorsal root ganglion neurons. In addition, it is demonstrated that insulin augments the sympathetic nerve activity response to capsaicin in vivo. These data suggest that sympathoexcitation is peripherally mediated via insulin-induced chemical sensitization. The present study proposes a possible physiological role of insulin in the regulation of chemical sensitivity in somatosensory thin fibre muscle afferents.

Higher dietary insulinaemic potential is associated with increased risk of liver steatosis and fibrosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance play a central role in the progression of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, and diet can modulate insulin response. We thus hypothesised that diet with higher insulinaemic potential is associated with an increased risk of these conditions. METHODS: Two empirically dietary indices for hyperinsulinaemia (EDIH) and insulin resistance (EDIR) were derived to identify food groups most predictive of fasting concentrations of C-peptide and insulin and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance respectively. Hepatic steatosis and fibrosis were defined by controlled attenuation parameter and liver stiffness measurement using transient elastography (TE). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the 4171 participants with TE examination, 1436 (age-standardised prevalence, 33.8%) were diagnosed with steatosis, 255 (5.6%) with advanced fibrosis and 101 (2.2%) with cirrhosis. The multivariable-adjusted ORs for participants comparing the highest to the lowest EDIH tertile were 1.17 (95% CI: 0.99-1.39, Ptrend  = .005) for steatosis, 1.74 (95% CI: 1.24-2.44, Ptrend  = .001) for advanced fibrosis and 2.05 (95% CI: 1.21-3.46, Ptrend  = .004) for cirrhosis. Similar associations were observed for EDIR with ORs of 1.32 (95% CI: 1.11-1.55, Ptrend  < .001) for steatosis and 1.43 (95% CI: 1.03-1.99, Ptrend  = .006) for advance fibrosis. These positive associations remained among never drinkers and individuals who were free of hepatitis B and/or C. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance may partially underlie the influence of diet on hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, and highlight the importance of reducing or avoiding insulinaemic dietary pattern.

On the causal relationships between hyperinsulinaemia, insulin resistance, obesity and dysglycaemia in type 2 diabetes.

Hundreds of millions of people are affected by hyperinsulinaemia, insulin resistance, obesity and the dysglycaemia that mark a common progression from metabolic health to type 2 diabetes. Although the relative contribution of these features and the order in which they appear may differ between individuals, the common clustering and seemingly progressive nature of type 2 diabetes aetiology has guided research and clinical practice in this area for decades. At the same time, lively debate around the causal relationships between these features has continued, as new data from human trials and highly controlled animal studies are presented. This 'For debate' article was prompted by the review in Diabetologia by Esser, Utzschneider and Kahn ( https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-020-05245-x ), with the purpose of reviewing established and emerging data that provide insight into the relative contributions of hyperinsulinaemia and impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in progressive stages between health, obesity and diabetes. It is concluded that these beta cell defects are not mutually exclusive and that they are both important, but at different stages.

Metabolomics analysis reveals altered metabolites in lean compared with obese adolescents and additional metabolic shifts associated with hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance in obese adolescents: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance (IR) are strongly associated with obesity and are forerunners of type 2 diabetes. Little is known about metabolic alterations separately associated with obesity, hyperinsulinaemia/IR and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in adolescents. OBJECTIVES: To identify metabolic alterations associated with obesity, hyperinsulinaemia/IR and hyperinsulinaemia/IR combined with IGT in obese adolescents. METHODS: 81 adolescents were stratified into four groups based on body mass index (lean vs. obese), insulin responses (normal insulin (NI) vs. high insulin (HI)) and glucose responses (normal glucose tolerance (NGT) vs. IGT) after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The groups comprised: (1) healthy lean with NI and NGT, (2) obese with NI and NGT, (3) obese with HI and NGT, and (4) obese with HI and IGT. Targeted nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomics analysis was performed on fasting and seven post-OGTT plasma samples, followed by univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. RESULTS: Two groups of metabolites were identified: (1) Metabolites associated with insulin response level: adolescents with HI (groups 3-4) had higher concentrations of branched-chain amino acids and tyrosine, and lower concentrations of serine, glycine, myo-inositol and dimethylsulfone, than adolescents with NI (groups 1-2). (2) Metabolites associated with obesity status: obese adolescents (groups 2-4) had higher concentrations of acetylcarnitine, alanine, pyruvate and glutamate, and lower concentrations of acetate, than lean adolescents (group 1). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is associated with shifts in fat and energy metabolism. Hyperinsulinaemia/IR in obese adolescents is also associated with increased branched-chain and aromatic amino acids.

Association of dietary insulinaemic potential and odds of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among adults: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Hyperinsulinaemia is considered as a major risk factor for the development of a myriad of chronic diseases. We examined the association between the dietary insulinaemic potential and the odds of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among Iranian adults. METHODS: After being subjected to a liver ultrasound, 166 patients with NAFLD and 200 controls were included in the study. The dietary intakes and the physical activity levels of the participants were evaluated using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short IPAQ), respectively. The insulinaemic potential of the diet was assessed by computing the scores of the Empirical Dietary Index for Hyperinsulinemia (EDIH) and the Empirical Dietary Index for Insulin Resistance (EDIR). RESULTS: Compared with the control subjects, patients with NAFLD were significantly older; had higher values for body mass index, fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol and alanine transaminase; and were more likely to smoke. Moreover, NAFLD patients had significant lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and were less likely to perform physical activity. The risk of NAFLD was higher in the individuals in the highest tertile of the EDIH (odds ratio [OR] = 2.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.32-5.90; p value for trend < 0.05) and EDIR (OR = 2.42; 95% CI = 1.22-4.79; p value for trend < 0.05) compared to those in the lowest tertile of these scores. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that a higher dietary insulinaemic potential is associated with an increased risk of NAFLD.

Hyperinsulinemia during pregnancy across varying degrees of glucose tolerance: An examination of the Kraft database.

AIM: Hyperinsulinemia is a known underlying driver of metabolic disease; however, its role in pregnancy complications is less understood due to insulin measurement not being a part of standard clinical assessments. This study aimed to characterize hyperinsulinemia in pregnancy by gestational diabetes (GD) status using Kraft methodology. METHODS: We analyzed historical data from 926 pregnant women who underwent a 100-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), which included insulin measurement. Subjects were grouped by GD diagnosis status ("Normal", "Borderline", "GD") and insulin responses over 3 h were compared between groups. RESULTS: "GD" was diagnosed in 20.3% of the subjects and 13.8% were grouped as "Borderline." The prevalence of hyperinsulinemia using the Kraft algorithm was 33.1% for Kraft IIB and 42.0% for Kraft III. Compared to normal glucose-tolerant mothers, individuals from the "Borderline" group had an exacerbated insulin response, although not to the same magnitude as those with "GD." CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic OGTT insulin measurement during pregnancy may provide a meaningful assessment of metabolic risk among women who would otherwise not be diagnosed with GD.

Islet pericytes convert into profibrotic myofibroblasts in a mouse model of islet vascular fibrosis.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Islet vascular fibrosis may play an important role in the progression of type 2 diabetes, but there are no mouse models allowing detailed mechanistic studies to understand how a dysfunctional islet microvasculature contributes to diabetes pathogenesis. Here we report that the transgenic AktTg mouse, unlike other mouse strains, shows an increased deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in perivascular regions, allowing us to study the cellular mechanisms that lead to islet vascular fibrosis. METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry, we labelled the islet microvasculature and ECM in pancreas sections of AktTg mice and human donors and performed lineage tracing to follow the fate of islet pericytes. We compared islet microvascular responses in living pancreas slices from wild-type and AktTg mice. RESULTS: We found that vascular pericytes proliferate extensively, convert into profibrotic myofibroblasts and substantially contribute to vascular fibrosis in the AktTg mouse model. The increased deposition of collagen I, fibronectin and periostin within the islet is associated with diminished islet perfusion as well as impaired capillary responses to noradrenaline (norepinephrine) and to high glucose in living pancreas slices. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Our study thus illustrates how the AktTg mouse serves to elucidate a cellular mechanism in the development of islet vascular fibrosis, namely a change in pericyte phenotype that leads to vascular dysfunction. Because beta cells in the AktTg mouse are more numerous and larger, and secrete more insulin, in future studies we will test the role beta cell secretory products play in determining the phenotype of pericytes and other cells residing in the islet microenvironment under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Graphical abstract.

Early beta cell dysfunction vs insulin hypersecretion as the primary event in the pathogenesis of dysglycaemia.

Obesity and insulin resistance are associated with the development of type 2 diabetes. It is well accepted that beta cell dysfunction is required for hyperglycaemia to occur. The prevailing view is that, in the presence of insulin resistance, beta cell dysfunction that occurs early in the course of the disease process is the critical abnormality. An alternative model has been proposed in which primary beta cell overstimulation results in insulin hypersecretion that then leads to the development of obesity and insulin resistance, and ultimately to beta cell exhaustion. In this review, data from preclinical and clinical studies, including intervention studies, are discussed in the context of these models. The preponderance of the data supports the view that an early beta cell functional defect is the more likely mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of hyperglycaemia in the majority of individuals who develop type 2 diabetes. Graphical abstract.

Cord blood metabolic markers are strong mediators of the effect of maternal adiposity on fetal growth in pregnancies across the glucose tolerance spectrum: the PANDORA study.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: We aimed to assess associations between cord blood metabolic markers and fetal overgrowth, and whether cord markers mediated the impact of maternal adiposity on neonatal anthropometric outcomes among children born to Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australian women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pregestational type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: From the Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes in Remote Australia (PANDORA) study, an observational cohort of 1135 mother-baby pairs, venous cord blood was available for 645 singleton babies (49% Indigenous Australian) of women with NGT (n = 129), GDM (n = 419) and type 2 diabetes (n = 97). Cord glucose, triacylglycerol, HDL-cholesterol, C-reactive protein (CRP) and C-peptide were measured. Multivariable logistic and linear regression were used to assess the associations between cord blood metabolic markers and the outcomes of birthweight z score, sum of skinfold thickness (SSF), being large for gestational age (LGA) and percentage of body fat. Pathway analysis assessed whether cord markers mediated the associations between maternal and neonatal adiposity. RESULTS: Elevated cord C-peptide was significantly associated with increasing birthweight z score (ß 0.57 [95% CI 0.42, 0.71]), SSF (ß 0.83 [95% CI 0.41, 1.25]), percentage of body fat (ß 1.20 [95% CI 0.69, 1.71]) and risk for LGA [OR 3.14 [95% CI 2.11, 4.68]), after adjusting for age, ethnicity and diabetes type. Cord triacylglycerol was negatively associated with birthweight z score for Indigenous Australian women only. No associations between cord glucose, HDL-cholesterol and CRP >0.3 mg/l (2.9 nmol/l) with neonatal outcomes were observed. C-peptide mediated 18% (95% CI 13, 36) of the association of maternal BMI with LGA and 11% (95% CI 8, 17) of the association with per cent neonatal fat. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Cord blood C-peptide is an important mediator of the association between maternal and infant adiposity, across the spectrum of maternal glucose tolerance.

Pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes risk in black Africans: a South African perspective.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is higher in black Africans than their European counterparts. This review summarizes the research exploring the pathogenesis of T2D in populations of African ancestry compared to white Europeans and shows that the pathogenesis differs by ethnicity. Black Africans present with a phenotype of low insulin sensitivity and hyperinsulinaemia as a result of increased insulin secretion and reduced hepatic insulin clearance. Whether hyperinsulinaemia precedes insulin resistance or is merely a compensatory mechanism is yet to be determined. Black Africans have lower visceral adipose tissue and ectopic fat deposition and greater peripheral (gluteo-femoral) fat deposition than their European counterparts. This suggests that black Africans are more sensitive to the effects of ectopic fat deposition, or alternatively, that ectopic fat is not an important mediator of T2D in black Africans. Importantly, ethnic disparities in T2D risk factors may be confounded by differences in sociocultural and lifestyle factors. Future longitudinal and dietary intervention studies, in combination with genetic analyses, are needed for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of T2D in black Africans. This will be key for effective prevention and management strategies.

Insulin-related dietary indices predict 24-h urinary C-peptide in adult men.

The dietary insulin index directly estimates the postprandial insulin secretion potential of foods, whereas the empirical dietary index for hyperinsulinaemia (EDIH) assesses the insulinaemic potential of usual diets based on fasting plasma C-peptide, and is primarily reflective of insulin resistance. It is unknown whether these insulin-related indices are predictive of an integrated measure of insulin secretion. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis that included 293 non-diabetic men with 24-h urinary C-peptide data from the Men's Lifestyle Validation Study. EDIH, dietary insulin index and dietary insulin load were calculated using validated FFQ. We conducted multivariable-adjusted linear regression to estimate relative and absolute concentrations of 24-h urinary C-peptide. In multivariable-adjusted models, we found a significant positive association between all three insulin-related dietary indices and 24-h urinary C-peptide (P < 0·05). Relative concentrations of 24-h urinary C-peptide per 1-sd increase in insulin-related dietary indices were 1·12 (95 % CI 1·02, 1·23) for EDIH, 1·18 (95 % CI 1·07, 1·29) for dietary insulin index and 1·16 (95 % CI 1·06, 1·27) for dietary insulin load. When we further adjusted for BMI, the association was attenuated for EDIH, to 1·07 (95 % CI 0·98, 1·16), and remained unchanged for dietary insulin index and dietary insulin load. In conclusion, EDIH, dietary insulin index and dietary insulin load were predictive of integrated insulin secretion assessed by 24-h urinary C-peptide. Findings after adjustment for BMI appear to confirm the relation of EDIH to insulin resistance and dietary insulin index/load to insulin secretion; the respective constructs of the two dietary indices.

Mechanisms of hyperinsulinaemia in apparently healthy non-obese young adults: role of insulin secretion, clearance and action and associations with plasma amino acids.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: This study aimed to examine the metabolic health of young apparently healthy non-obese adults to better understand mechanisms of hyperinsulinaemia. METHODS: Non-obese (BMI < 30 kg/m2) adults aged 18-35 years (N = 254) underwent a stable isotope-labelled OGTT. Insulin sensitivity, glucose effectiveness and beta cell function were determined using oral minimal models. Individuals were stratified into quartiles based on their insulin response during the OGTT, with quartile 1 having the lowest and quartile 4 the highest responses. RESULTS: Thirteen per cent of individuals had impaired fasting glucose (IFG; n = 14) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; n = 19), allowing comparisons across the continuum of insulin responses within the spectrum of normoglycaemia and prediabetes. BMI (~24 kg/m2) was similar across insulin quartiles and in those with IFG and IGT. Despite similar glycaemic excursions, fasting insulin, triacylglycerols and cholesterol were elevated in quartile 4. Insulin sensitivity was lowest in quartile 4, and accompanied by increased insulin secretion and reduced insulin clearance. Individuals with IFG had similar insulin sensitivity and beta cell function to those in quartiles 2 and 3, but were more insulin sensitive than individuals in quartile 4. While individuals with IGT had a similar degree of insulin resistance to quartile 4, they exhibited a more severe defect in beta cell function. Plasma branched-chain amino acids were not elevated in quartile 4, IFG or IGT. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Hyperinsulinaemia within normoglycaemic young, non-obese adults manifests due to increased insulin secretion and reduced insulin clearance. Individual phenotypic characterisation revealed that the most hyperinsulinaemic were more similar to individuals with IGT than IFG, suggesting that hyperinsulinaemic individuals may be on the continuum toward IGT. Furthermore, plasma branched-chain amino acids may not be an effective biomarker in identifying hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance in young non-obese adults.

Insulin potentiates the response to mechanical stimuli in small dorsal root ganglion neurons and thin fibre muscle afferents in vitro.

KEY POINTS: Insulin is known to activate the sympathetic nervous system centrally. A mechanical stimulus to tissues activates the sympathetic nervous system via thin fibre afferents. Evidence suggests that insulin modulates putative mechanosensitive channels in the dorsal root ganglion neurons of these afferents. In the present study, we report the novel finding that insulin augments the mechanical responsiveness of thin fibre afferents not only at dorsal root ganglion, but also at muscle tissue levels. Our data suggest that sympathoexcitation is mediated via the insulin-induced mechanical sensitization peripherally. The present study proposes a novel physiological role of insulin in the regulation of mechanical sensitivity in somatosensory thin fibre afferents. ABSTRACT: Insulin activates the sympathetic nervous system, although the mechanism underlying insulin-induced sympathoexcitation remains to be determined. A mechanical stimulus to tissues such as skin and/or skeletal muscle, no matter whether the stimulation is noxious or not, activates the sympathetic nervous system via thin fibre afferents. Evidence suggests that insulin modulates putative mechanosensitive channels in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons of these afferents. Accordingly, we investigated whether insulin augments whole-cell current responses to mechanical stimuli in small DRG neurons of normal healthy mice. We performed whole-cell patch clamp recordings using cultured DRG neurons and observed mechanically-activated (MA) currents induced by mechanical stimuli applied to the cell surface. Local application of vehicle solution did not change MA currents or mechanical threshold in cultured DRG neurons. Insulin (500 mU mL-1 ) significantly augmented the amplitude of MA currents (P < 0.05) and decreased the mechanical threshold (P < 0.05). Importantly, pretreatment with the insulin receptor antagonist, GSK1838705, significantly suppressed the insulin-induced potentiation of the mechanical response. We further examined the impact of insulin on thin fibre muscle afferent activity in response to mechanical stimuli in normal healthy rats in vitro. Using a muscle-nerve preparation, we recorded single group IV fibre activity to a ramp-shaped mechanical stimulation. Insulin significantly decreased mechanical threshold (P < 0.05), although it did not significantly increase the response magnitude to the mechanical stimulus. In conclusion, these data suggest that insulin augments the mechanical responsiveness of small DRG neurons and potentially sensitizes group IV afferents to mechanical stimuli at the muscle tissue level, possibly contributing to insulin-induced sympathoexcitation.