Circulating metabolomic markers in association with overall burden of microvascular complications in type 1 diabetes

INTRODUCTION

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN) share common pathophysiology and pose an additive risk of early mortality.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In adults with type 1 diabetes, 49 metabolites previously associated with either DR or DKD were assessed in relation to presence of DSPN. Metabolites overlapping in significance with presence of all three complications were assessed in relation to microvascular burden severity (additive number of complications-ie, presence of DKD±DR±DSPN) using linear regression models. Subsequently, the same metabolites were assessed with progression to endpoints: soft microvascular events (progression in albuminuria grade, ≥30% estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline, or any progression in DR grade), hard microvascular events (progression to proliferative DR, chronic kidney failure, or ≥40% eGFR decline), and hard microvascular or macrovascular events (hard microvascular events, cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke, or arterial interventions), or cardiovascular mortality), using Cox models. All models were adjusted for sex, baseline age, diabetes duration, systolic blood pressure, HbA1c, body mass index, total cholesterol, smoking, and statin treatment.

RESULTS

The full cohort investigated consisted of 487 participants. Mean (SD) follow-up was 4.8 (2.9, 5.7) years. Baseline biothesiometry was available in 202 participants, comprising the cross-sectional cohort. Eight metabolites were significantly associated with presence of DR, DKD, and DSPN, and six with additive microvascular burden severity. In the full cohort longitudinal analysis, higher levels of 3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid (DHBA), 2,4-DHBA, ribonic acid, glycine, and ribitol were associated with development of events in both crude and adjusted models. Adding 3,4-DHBA, ribonic acid, and glycine to a traditional risk factor model improved the discrimination of hard microvascular events.

CONCLUSIONS

While prospective studies directly assessing the predictive ability of these markers are needed, our results strengthen the role of clinical metabolomics in relation to risk assessment of diabetic complications in chronic type 1 diabetes.

Decreased branched-chain amino acids and elevated fatty acids during antecedent hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes

INTRODUCTION

Hypoglycemia is a major limiting factor in achieving recommended glycemic targets for people with type 1 diabetes. Exposure to recurrent hypoglycemia results in blunted hormonal counter-regulatory and symptomatic responses to hypoglycemia. Limited data on metabolic adaptation to recurrent hypoglycemia are available. This study examined the acute metabolic responses to hypoglycemia and the effect of antecedent hypoglycemia on these responses in type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Twenty-one outpatients with type 1 diabetes with normal or impaired awareness of hypoglycemia participated in a study assessing the response to hypoglycemia on 2 consecutive days by a hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp. Participants underwent a period of normoglycemia and a period of hypoglycemia during the hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp. Plasma samples were taken during normoglycemia and at the beginning and the end of the hypoglycemic period. Metabolomic analysis of the plasma samples was conducted using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

In total, 68 metabolites were studied. On day 1, concentrations of the branched-chain amino acids, leucine (p=3.8×10-3) and isoleucine (p=2.2×10-3), decreased during hypoglycemia. On day 2, during hypoglycemia, five amino acids (including leucine and isoleucine) significantly decreased, and two fatty acids (tetradecanoic and oleic acids) significantly increased (p<0.05). Although more metabolites responded to hypoglycemia on day 2, the responses of the single metabolites were not statistically significant between the 2 days.

CONCLUSIONS

In individuals with type 1 diabetes, one episode of hypoglycemia decreases leucine and isoleucine concentrations. Antecedent hypoglycemia results in the decrement of five amino acids and increases the concentrations of two fatty acids, suggesting an alteration between the two hypoglycemic episodes, which could indicate a possible adaptation. However, more studies are needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the consequences of these alterations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01337362.

Liraglutide Lowers Palmitoleate Levels in Type 2 Diabetes. A Post Hoc Analysis of the LIRAFLAME Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background

Liraglutide is a glucose-lowering medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. It is a GLP-1 receptor agonist with downstream metabolic changes beyond the incretin system, such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular complications. The understanding of these changes is critical for improving treatment outcomes. Herein, we present a post hoc experimental analysis using metabolomic phenotyping to discover molecular mecphanisms in response to liraglutide.

Method

Plasma samples were obtained from The LiraFlame Study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03449654), a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial, including 102 participants with type 2 diabetes randomized to either liraglutide or placebo treatment for 26 weeks. Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics analyses were carried out on samples from baseline and the end of the trial. Metabolites (n=114) were categorized into pathways and linear mixed models were constructed to evaluate the association between changes in metabolites and liraglutide treatment.

Results

We found the free fatty acid palmitoleate was significantly reduced in the liraglutide group compared to placebo (adjusted for multiple testing p-value = 0.04). The activity of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1), the rate limiting enzyme for converting palmitate into palmitoleate, was found significantly downregulated by liraglutide treatment compared to placebo (p-value = 0.01). These metabolic changes have demonstrated to be linked to insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular health.

Metabolomic Assessment Reveals Alteration in Polyols and Branched Chain Amino Acids Associated With Present and Future Renal Impairment in a Discovery Cohort of 637 Persons With Type 1 Diabetes

Background: Improved understanding of the pathophysiology causing diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is imperative. The aim of this study was to uncover associations between serum metabolites and renal outcomes. Methods: Non-targeted serum metabolomics analyses were performed in samples from 637 persons with type 1 diabetes using two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass-spectrometry. Longitudinal data at follow-up (median 5.5 years) on renal events were obtained from national Danish health registries. A composite renal endpoint (n = 123) consisted of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline from baseline (≥30%), progression to end-stage renal disease and all-cause mortality. Metabolites with significant associations (p < 0.05) in any of the cross-sectional analyses with eGFR and albuminuria were analyzed for specific and composite endpoints. Adjustments included traditional cardiovascular risk factors and correction for multiple testing. Results: A data-driven partial correlation analysis revealed a dense fabric of co-regulated metabolites and clinical variables dominated by eGFR. Ribonic acid and myo-inositol were inversely associated with eGFR, positively associated with macroalbuminuria (p < 0.02) and longitudinally associated with higher risk of eGFR decline ≥30% (HR 2.2-2.7, CI [1.3-4.3], p < 0.001). Ribonic acid was associated with a combined renal endpoint (HR 1.8, CI [1.3-2.3], p = 0.001). The hydroxy butyrate 3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid was cross-sectionally associated with micro- and macroalbuminuria, urinary albumin excretion rate and inversely associated with eGFR (p < 0.04) while branched chain amino acids were associated with eGFR and lower risk of the combined renal endpoint (p < 0.02). Conclusions: Alterations in serum metabolites, particularly polyols and amino acids, were associated with renal endpoints in type 1 diabetes highlighting molecular pathways associated with progression of kidney disease. External validation is needed to further assess their roles and potentials as future therapeutic targets.