Elevations of metabolic risk factors 20 years or more before diagnosis of type 2 diabetes: Experience from the AMORIS study

Alterations in Biomarkers Related to Glycemia, Lipid Metabolism, and Inflammation up to 20 Years Before Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes in Adults: Findings From the AMORIS Cohort

OBJECTIVE

Type 1 diabetes is described to have an acute onset, but autoantibodies can appear several years preceding diagnosis. This suggests a long preclinical phase, which may also include metabolic parameters. Here we assessed whether elevations in glycemic, lipid, and other metabolic biomarkers were associated with future type 1 diabetes risk in adults.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We studied 591,239 individuals from the Swedish AMORIS cohort followed from 1985-1996 to 2012. Through linkage to national patient, diabetes, and prescription registers, we identified incident type 1 diabetes. Using Cox regression models, we estimated hazard ratios for biomarkers at baseline and incident type 1 diabetes. We additionally assessed trajectories of biomarkers during the 25 years before type 1 diabetes diagnosis in a nested case-control design.

RESULTS

We identified 1,122 type 1 diabetes cases during follow-up (average age of patient at diagnosis: 53.3 years). The biomarkers glucose, fructosamine, triglycerides, the ratio of apolipoprotein (apo)B to apoA-I, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase, and BMI were positively associated with type 1 diabetes risk. Higher apoA-I was associated with lower type 1 diabetes incidence. Already 15 years before diagnosis, type 1 diabetes cases had higher mean glucose, fructosamine, triglycerides, and uric acid levels compared with control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Alterations in biomarker levels related to glycemia, lipid metabolism, and inflammation are associated with clinically diagnosed type 1 diabetes risk, and these may be elevated many years preceding diagnosis.

Long-term risk of a major cardiovascular event by apoB, apoA-1, and the apoB/apoA-1 ratio-Experience from the Swedish AMORIS cohort: A cohort study

BACKGROUND

Elevated apolipoprotein B (apoB) and elevated apoB/apoA-1 ratio increase the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke, whereas high apoA-1 is protective. We study how these apolipoproteins are associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), whether apoA-1 contributes to this association, and whether abnormal values occur decades before such events develop.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

In the Swedish AMORIS (Apolipoprotein-related MOrtality RISk) cohort study, 137,100 men and women aged 25-84 years were followed an average 17.8 years. ApoB, apoA-1, and the apoB/apoA-1 ratio were analysed in relation to MACEs (non-fatal MI, stroke, and cardiovascular [CV] mortality), yielding 22,473 events. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using Cox regression. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to investigate the relationship of MACEs with increasing quintiles of the apoB/apoA-1 ratio in all age groups for both sexes. In nested case-control analyses, cases were randomly matched to age- and sex-matched controls, yielding population trajectories for apolipoproteins. Increased level of apoB and increased apoB/apoA-1 ratio were associated with risk of MACE and all clinical sub-components in both men and women across all ages (10th versus first decile in both sexes combined: HR 1.7 for MACE and 2.7 for non-fatal MI). Decreased values of apoA-1 potentiated the impact of apoB at all levels of apoB (on average across apoB range: 40% increase in HR for MACE and 72% increase in HR for non-fatal MI), indicating that the apoB/apoA-1 ratio covers a broader range of persons with dyslipidaemia at risk than apoB alone. In both men and women, MACEs occurred earlier on average for each increasing quintile of the apoB/apoA-1 ratio. Individuals with the highest levels of apoB/apoA-1 ratio experienced CV events on average several years earlier than those with lower ratios. Higher apoB/apoA-1 ratio in cases of MACE versus controls was seen already about 20 years before the event. A limitation of this study was that adjustment for tobacco smoking and hypertension was only possible in a small validation study.

CONCLUSIONS

An imbalance between apoB and apoA-1 resulting in an increased apoB/apoA-1 ratio is strongly associated with the outcome MACE and its sub-components, in both men and women of all ages. An increased apoB/apoA-1 ratio already 2 decades before events calls for early recognition and primary prevention. Simple evidence-based cut values should be considered in future cardiovascular guidelines.

Impaired fasting glucose: a risk factor for atrial fibrillation and heart failure

BACKGROUND

Dysglycaemia is associated with overall cardiovascular disease even at prediabetes levels. The aim of this study was to explore the association between glucose levels and future risk of developing atrial fibrillation and heart failure, respectively.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study subjects from the Swedish AMORIS-cohort with fasting glucose from health examinations 1985-1996 without previous cardiovascular disease (N = 294,057) were followed to 31 December 2011 for incident atrial fibrillation or heart failure. Cox proportional hazard models with attained age as timescale and adjustments for sex, cholesterol, triglycerides, and socioeconomic status were used to estimate hazard ratios by glucose categorized groups (normal glucose 3.9-6.0 mmol/L, impaired fasting glucose; 6.1-6.9 mmol/L, undiagnosed diabetes ≥ 7.0 mmol/L, and diagnosed diabetes).

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up time of 19.1 years 28,233 individuals developed atrial fibrillation and 25,604 developed heart failure. The HR for atrial fibrillation was 1.19 (95% confidence interval 1.13-1.26) for impaired fasting glucose, 1.23 (1.15-1.32) for undiagnosed diabetes and 1.30 (1.21-1.41) for diagnosed diabetes. Corresponding figures for heart failure were; 1.40 (1.33-1.48), 2.11 (1.99-2.23), 2.22 (2.08-2.36) respectively. In a subset with BMI data (19%), these associations were attenuated and for atrial fibrillation only remained statistically significant among subjects with diagnosed diabetes (HR 1.25; 1.02-1.53).

CONCLUSIONS

Fasting glucose at prediabetes levels is associated with development of atrial fibrillation and heart failure. To some extent increased BMI may drive this association.

Impaired fasting glucose: a risk factor for atrial fibrillation and heart failure

BACKGROUND

Dysglycaemia is associated with overall cardiovascular disease even at prediabetes levels. The aim of this study was to explore the association between glucose levels and future risk of developing atrial fibrillation and heart failure, respectively.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study subjects from the Swedish AMORIS-cohort with fasting glucose from health examinations 1985-1996 without previous cardiovascular disease (N = 294,057) were followed to 31 December 2011 for incident atrial fibrillation or heart failure. Cox proportional hazard models with attained age as timescale and adjustments for sex, cholesterol, triglycerides, and socioeconomic status were used to estimate hazard ratios by glucose categorized groups (normal glucose 3.9-6.0 mmol/L, impaired fasting glucose; 6.1-6.9 mmol/L, undiagnosed diabetes ≥ 7.0 mmol/L, and diagnosed diabetes).

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up time of 19.1 years 28,233 individuals developed atrial fibrillation and 25,604 developed heart failure. The HR for atrial fibrillation was 1.19 (95% confidence interval 1.13-1.26) for impaired fasting glucose, 1.23 (1.15-1.32) for undiagnosed diabetes and 1.30 (1.21-1.41) for diagnosed diabetes. Corresponding figures for heart failure were; 1.40 (1.33-1.48), 2.11 (1.99-2.23), 2.22 (2.08-2.36) respectively. In a subset with BMI data (19%), these associations were attenuated and for atrial fibrillation only remained statistically significant among subjects with diagnosed diabetes (HR 1.25; 1.02-1.53).

CONCLUSIONS

Fasting glucose at prediabetes levels is associated with development of atrial fibrillation and heart failure. To some extent increased BMI may drive this association.

Metabolic risk factors among prediabetic individuals and the trajectory toward the diabetes incidence

BACKGROUND

This study investigates the trajectory of the risk factors of prediabetes progression to overt diabetes.

METHODS

The study retrospectively investigated 1610 prediabetic individuals. The trajectory of metabolic indicators was investigated using the generalized estimated equation method with autoregressive working correlation structure through a linear model with the identity link function.

RESULTS

During 15 years of follow-up, the trajectories of metabolic risk factors changed from 3 years before diabetes occurrence for fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and 2-hour plasma glucose (2hPG), 6 years for waist circumference (WC), 9 years for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and earlier for body mass index, triglyceride (TG), and TG:HDL ratio. It was shown that the differences in the trajectory of WC and HDL were stable after adjustment for other metabolic risk factors. The trajectories of FPG and 2hPG remained stable after considering multiple insulin resistance markers.

CONCLUSIONS

Deterioration of metabolic risk factor status can be a predictor of diabetes many years before its occurrence, but the abrupt change in plasma glucose is evident 3 years before diabetes mellitus onset. It seems that the HDL-C and WC trajectories are two independent predictors for diabetes incidence. It was also found that when the rising trend in plasma glucose starts, preventive strategies to lessen insulin resistance might not be efficient.

Low C-peptide together with a high glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibody level predicts progression to insulin dependence in latent autoimmune diabetes in adults: The HUNT study

AIM

To search for risk factors that could predict progression in latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) and compare them with those for type 2 diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 175 participants with LADA (autoantibody positive, without insulin treatment ≥1 year after diagnosis) and 2331 participants with type 2 diabetes (autoantibody negative, without insulin treatment ≥1 year after diagnosis) from the HUNT2 and HUNT3 surveys. We used Cox regression models and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to identify predictive factors for progression to insulin dependency within 10 years.

RESULTS

Low C-peptide levels (<0.3 nmol/L) predicted progression to insulin dependency within 10 years in both LADA (hazard ratio [HR] 6.40 [95% CI, 2.02-20.3]) and type 2 diabetes (HR 5.01 [95% CI, 3.53-7.10]). In addition, a high glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibody (GADA) level (HR 5.37 [95% CI, 1.17-24.6]) predicted progression in LADA. Together, these two factors had a discriminatory power between non-progressors and progressors of area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86 (95% CI, 0.80-0.93). In type 2 diabetes, younger age at diagnosis (<50 years: HR 2.83 [95% CI, 1.56-5.15]; 50-69 years: HR 2.11 [95% CI, 1.19-3.74]), high HbA1c levels (≥53 mmol/mol, HR 2.44 [95% CI, 1.72-3.46]), central obesity (HR 1.65 [95% CI, 1.06-2.55]) and a body mass index of more than 30 kg/m² (HR 1.73 [95% CI, 1.23-2.41]) were independent predictors. Together with C-peptide they reached an AUC of 0.79 (95% CI, 0.76-0.82).

CONCLUSION

Factors predicting progression to insulin dependence are partly similar and partly dissimilar between LADA and type 2 diabetes. A constellation of low C-peptide and high GADA levels identifies LADA patients who are probable to progress to insulin dependence.

Glucose Effectiveness Decreases in Relationship to a Subtle Worsening of Metabolic Parameters in Young Japanese with Normal Glucose Tolerance

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between glucose effectiveness (Sg) and some metabolic parameters in male and female young Japanese. Methods: We measured plasma glucose and immunoreactive insulin levels in 1309 young Japanese persons (age <40 years) with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) before and at 30, 60, and 120 min during a 75 gram oral glucose tolerance test. We also measured serum adiponectin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels and oral glucose effectiveness (SgI_O), and investigated factors related to SgI_O. Results: The results of Spearman correlation analysis revealed that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and adiponectin were positively correlated with SgI_O, whereas the proportion of males, body mass index, waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides (TG), and hsCRP were inversely correlated with SgI_O. The results of multiple regression analysis indicated negative correlations between SgI_O and the proportion of males, WC, and SBP and a positive correlation with HDL. The results of multiple regression analysis excluding WC indicated negative correlations between SgI_O and the proportion of males, SBP, and TG and positive correlations with HDL and adiponectin. Conclusions: Sg decreased with a subtle worsening of metabolic parameters, even in young persons with NGT. Decreased Sg may be involved in the development of glucose intolerance in individuals with worse metabolic parameters.

Hypoglycemic effect of soluble polysaccharide and catechins from green tea on inhibiting intestinal transport of glucose

BACKGROUND

Water soluble polysaccharide derived from green tea (WSP) is produced as byproducts when catechins were extracted from green tea. Although inhibitory effect of green tea catechins on the glucose transport in small intestine has been studied, the hypoglycemic efficacy of the WSP or its combinational effect has not been studied. In order to investigate hypoglycemic efficacy of the WSP or its combinational effect with green tea extract (GTE), co-consumption of GTE and WSP with wheat starch was investigated using in vitro digestion coupled with Caco-2 cells. The mechanism of the intestinal glucose transport was elucidated throughout the gene expression of the intestinal glucose transporters, which included sodium dependent glucose transporter (SGLT1) and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

The co-digestion of wheat starch with GTE during the small intestinal phase was the most rapidly digested into reducing sugar (73.96 g L^-1 ) compared to itself (48.44 g L^-1 ), WSP (60.35 g L^-1 ), and GTE + WSP (61.81 g L^-1 ). Intestinal glucose transport was 11.82, 7.59, 4.49, and 2.40% for wheat starch, wheat starch with GTE, WSP, and GTE + WSP, respectively. The highest decreased expression pattern in SGLT1 was observed when cells treated with wheat starch + GTE + WSP (0.66-fold) compared to GTE or WSP treatment.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that co-consumption of green tea derived products with wheat starch could delay the intestinal absorption of glucose. Results from the current study suggested that GTE and WSP could be the useful supplements of dietary therapy for hyperglycemia to delay glucose absorption. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Insulin and Proinsulin Dynamics Progressively Deteriorate From Within the Normal Range Toward Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Context

Slight elevations in plasma glucose (PG) manifest in advance of diabetes onset, but abnormalities in immunoreactive insulin (IRI), proinsulin (Pro), and adiponectin dynamics during this stage remain poorly understood.

Objective

The objective of this work is to investigate whether IRI and Pro dynamics become abnormal as glucose tolerance deteriorates from within the normal range toward impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), as well as the relationship between PG, and these dynamics and serum adiponectin levels.

Design

A cross-sectional study was designed.

Setting

This study took place at Jichi Medical University in Japan.

Participants and Measurements

PG, IRI, and Pro levels were determined in 1311 young Japanese individuals (age < 40 years) with normal or IGT before and at 30, 60, and 120 minutes during a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Participants were assigned to 4 groups according to glucose tolerance, and then background factors, adiponectin levels, insulin sensitivity (SI), and insulin secretion (β) indexes were determined.

Results

PG levels as well as IRI and Pro levels 60 and 120 minutes after glucose-loading increased incrementally with deteriorating glucose tolerance. All measures of β and the SI measure index of insulin sensitivity (ISI)-Matsuda decreased incrementally. Serum adiponectin levels were not significantly different among the glucose tolerance groups, but were independently and negatively correlated with fasting glucose.

Conclusions

Early β decreased and postloading Pro levels became excessive in a progressive manner as glucose tolerance deteriorated from within the normal range toward IGT.

When does diabetes start? Early detection and intervention in type2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is a progressive disease whose pathophysiological changes occur several years before its detection. An approach based on the pathophysiological development of DM2 and its complications emphasises the importance of early and intensive intervention, not only to prevent beta-cell dysfunction but also to act on the potential associated cardiovascular risk factors before reaching the blood glucose thresholds currently set for diagnosing DM2. In the field of recently diagnosed DM2, the VERIFY study has shown that early treatment combined with metformin-vildagliptin provides relevant improvements in long-term glycaemic control and can positively affect the disease's progression.

Heritability of Curve Patterns in Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

Type 2 diabetes, which is caused by both genetic and environmental factors, may be diagnosed using the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Recent studies demonstrated specific patterns in glucose curves during OGTT associated with cardiometabolic risk profiles. As the relative contribution of genetic and environmental influences on glucose curve patterns is unknown, we aimed to investigate the heritability of these patterns. We studied twins from the Danish GEMINAKAR cohort aged 18-67 years and free from diabetes at baseline during 1997-2000; glucose concentrations were measured three times during a 2-h OGTT. Heterogeneity of the glucose response during OGTT was examined with latent class mixed-effects models, evaluating goodness of fit by Bayes information criterion. The genetic influence on curve patterns was estimated using quantitative genetic modeling based on linear structural equations. Overall, 1455 twins (41% monozygotic) had valid glucose concentrations measured from the OGTT, and four latent classes with different glucose response patterns were identified. Statistical modeling demonstrated genetic influence for belonging to a specific class or not, with heritability estimated to be between 45% and 67%. During ∼12 years of follow-up, the four classes were each associated with different incidence of type 2 diabetes. Hence, glucose response curve patterns associated with type 2 diabetes risk appear to be moderately to highly heritable.

Incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes by occupation: results from all Swedish employees

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The workplace is a potentially important arena for prevention of type 2 diabetes and the first step is to identify occupations where the disease is common and/or risk is high. Therefore, our aim was to analyse incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes across all occupational groups in Sweden.

METHODS

This nationwide study included all Swedish citizens born between 1937 and 1979 and gainfully employed between 2001 and 2013 (N = 4,550,892), and followed for a diagnosis of diabetes from 2006 to 2015 (n = 201,717) through national registers. Prevalence in 2013 (mean age 51 years; range 35-67) and age-standardised incidence (per 1000 person-years) were analysed across the 30 most common occupations among men and women. Information on BMI, physical fitness and smoking was obtained through the National Conscription (mean age 18) and Medical Birth Registers (mean age 29).

RESULTS

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 5.2% in men and 3.2% in women; in men it was highest among motor vehicle drivers (8.8%) and in women it was highest among manufacturing workers (6.4%). Incidence varied dramatically across occupational groups. In men, it was highest among manufacturing workers (9.41) and professional drivers (9.32) and lowest among university teachers (3.44). In women, incidence was highest in manufacturing workers (7.20) and cleaners (6.18) and lowest in physiotherapists (2.20). We found major differences in the prevalence of being overweight and smoking and in the level of physical fitness across these occupational groups even at young ages.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Professional drivers, manufacturing workers and cleaners have a threefold increased risk of type 2 diabetes compared with university teachers and physiotherapists. These differences most likely reflect dramatic differences in the prevalence of lifestyle risk factors. If workplace interventions could reduce weight and increase physical activity among employees in these occupations, major health gains may be made.

Sex Differences in the Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Abnormal Glucose Regulation in Adults Aged 50 Years or Older With Normal Fasting Plasma Glucose Levels

AIMS

Abnormal glucose regulation, which can present as diabetes and prediabetes, has become one of the most common chronic conditions. However, sex differences in the prevalence of and factors associated with abnormal glucose regulation remain unclear. Thus, we aimed to explore sex differences in the prevalence of and factors associated with abnormal glucose regulation in low-income adults in China aged ≥50 years with normal fasting plasma glucose levels.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 2,175 individuals aged ≥50 years with normal fasting plasma glucose levels were recruited into this study. After an overnight fast of at least 10 h, individuals underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. Fasting and 2-h plasma glucose levels were measured to determine the state of glucose regulation.

RESULTS

Women were more likely than men to have isolated-impaired glucose tolerance (i-IGT) overall (24.7% vs 20.8%; P= 0.034), among individuals aged <65 years (21.7% vs 15.9%; P= 0.012). Among men, independent risk factors for i-IGT were an age of ≥65 years, hypertension, and high serum uric acid (SUA) and triglyceride levels; independent risk factors for diabetes mellitus (DM) were an age of ≥75 years and alcohol consumption. Among women, independent risk factors for i-IGT were central obesity and high levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and SUA; independent risk factors for DM were low education and an elevated white blood cell count.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that conventional cardiovascular disease risk factors (i.e., age, hypertension, and dyslipidemia) associated with high risk of developing DM in men, but poor life style (i.e., obesity) and low education attainment in women. It is necessary for delay or stopping the development of DM among low-income adults in China to implement the personalized scheme of prevention DM between men and women, especially highlight control the risk factors in young and middle aged women.

Opportunities and options for surrogate assessment of insulin resistance

The high prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (CVD) determines the need for early detection and correction of key markers of cardio-metabolic risk (CMR). This prophylactic direction is closely related to metabolic syndrome (MS) based on the concept of insulin resistance (IR). At the same time, IR is the first link in the pathogenesis of T2DM and is a recognized risk factor for atherothrombosis. Therefore, early diagnosis of IR is of practical importance both for the detection of early disorders of carbohydrate metabolism (DCM) and prognosis of T2DM, and cardiological risk. Alternative indicators have been proposed for evaluating IR with the inclusion of lipid and anthropometric parameters, the diagnostic and prognostic significance of which in terms of CMR (DCM and CVD) has been evaluated in randomized clinical trials in comparison with the HOMA-IR index and clamp. The TyG index (calculated on the basis of plasma glucose and triglycerides) is consistent with the phenomenon of glucolipotoxicity with subsequent metabolic disorders in target organs. Its derivatives are proposed: TyG-WC (TyG / waist circumference) and TYG-BMI (TyG / BMI). Apply LAP indices (lipid accumulation index) and VAI (visceral obesity index), as well as TG / HDL (TG / HDL). Their ethnic and gender differences were revealed, attempts were made to calculate the cut-off points for these indices.

Change in prevalence and severity of metabolic syndrome in the Sami and non-Sami population in rural Northern Norway using a repeated cross-sectional population-based study design: the SAMINOR Study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the change in both the prevalence and severity of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the Sami and non-Sami in Northern Norway due to a lack of knowledge regarding the development of MetS in this population.

DESIGN

Repeated cross-sectional study.

SETTING

The study is based on data from the SAMINOR 1 Survey (2003-2004, n=6550) and the SAMINOR 2 Clinical Survey (2012-2014, n=6004), conducted in 10 municipalities in Northern Norway.

PARTICIPANTS

Men and women aged 40-79 years were invited. We excluded participants not handing in the questionnaire and with missing information concerning ethnicity questions or MetS risk factors resulting in a final sample of 6308 (36.0% Sami) subjects in SAMINOR 1 and 5866 (40.9% Sami) subjects in SAMINOR 2.

OUTCOME MEASURES

MetS prevalence was determined using the harmonised Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP-III) criteria, and severity was assessed with the MetS severity Z-score. Generalised estimating equations with an interaction term (survey × ethnicity) were used to compare prevalence and severity between the two surveys while accounting for partly repeated measurements.

RESULTS

The overall, age-standardised ATP-III-MetS prevalence was 31.2% (95% CI: 29.8 to 32.6) in SAMINOR 1 and 35.6% (95% CI: 34.0 to 37.3) in SAMINOR 2. Both the ATP-III-MetS prevalence and the mean MetS severity Z-score increased between the surveys in all subgroups, except the ATP-III-MetS prevalence in non-Sami women, which remained stable. Over time, Sami men showed a slightly larger increase in MetS severity than non-Sami men (p<0.001): the score increased by 0.20 (95% CI: 0.14 to 0.25) and 0.06 (95% CI: 0.01 to 0.10) in Sami and non-Sami men, respectively. Abdominal obesity increased markedly between the surveys in all subgroups.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence and severity of MetS increased over time in rural Northern Norway. Abdominal obesity appeared to drive the increase in ATP-III-MetS prevalence. Sami men had a slightly larger increase in severity than non-Sami.

Testosterone Therapy in Men With Hypogonadism Prevents Progression From Prediabetes to Type 2 Diabetes: Eight-Year Data From a Registry Study

OBJECTIVE

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a public health threat. Prediabetes represents a window of opportunity for intervention to prevent T2D. Men with T2D and prediabetes often have low testosterone. Since testosterone improves glycemic control in T2D, we investigated whether testosterone therapy (TTh) in men with hypogonadism and prediabetes prevents progression to T2D.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Three hundred and sixteen men with prediabetes (defined as HbA_1c 5.7-6.4%) and total testosterone levels ≤12.1 nmol/L combined with symptoms of hypogonadism were analyzed. Two hundred and twenty-nine men received parenteral testosterone undecanoate (T-group), and 87 men with hypogonadism served as untreated control subjects. Metabolic and anthropometric parameters were measured twice yearly for 8 years.

RESULTS

HbA_1c decreased by 0.39 ± 0.03% (P < 0.0001) in the T-group and increased by 0.63 ± 0.1% (P < 0.0001) in the untreated group. In the T-group, 90% achieved normal glucose regulation (HbA_1c <5.7%). In the untreated group, 40.2% progressed to T2D (HbA_1c >6.5%). TTh was also associated with significant improvements in fasting glucose, triglyceride:HDL ratio, triglyceride-glucose index, lipid accumulation product, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, non-HDL, triglycerides, and Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) scale. Significant deterioration in all these parameters was seen in the untreated group. Mortality was 7.4% in the T-group and 16.1% in the untreated group (P < 0.05). The incidence of nonfatal myocardial infarction was 0.4% in the T-group and 5.7% in the untreated group (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term TTh completely prevents prediabetes progression to T2D in men with hypogonadism and improves glycemia, lipids, and AMS score. TTh holds tremendous potential for the large and growing population of men with prediabetes and hypogonadism.

Vitamin D status and its management for achieving optimal health benefits in the elderly

INTRODUCTION

Vitamin D deficiency is common, world-wide, but vitamin D repletion throughout life, and into older age, has accepted health benefits for bone. Many mechanisms through which vitamin D also benefits soft tissues are understood, and clinical evidence of such benefits is now accumulating, especially following re-analyses of trial data, which are revealing previously missed health benefits with correction of deficiency.

AREAS COVERED

The sources of vitamin D, its activation, mechanistic effects; problems of trials of supplementation for reducing health risks, the benefits shown for mortality, cardiovascular disease, infection and cancer; the global problem of vitamin D deficiency; age-related reductions in vitamin D efficacy, and currently recommended intakes.

EXPERT COMMENTARY

High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency worldwide have proven ill-effects on health. Governmental efforts to improve population repletion by recommending minimal daily intakes does benefit some but is not effective at the population-level. However, food fortification with vitamin D3, already implemented in some countries, can solve this highly avoidable problem cost-effectively and is probably the best way to abolish vitamin D inadequacy, allowing public health benefits to emerge over time, thereby allowing future research on vitamin D to be directed at emerging issues on vitamin D.

Cardiovascular events in patients under age fifty with early findings of elevated lipid and glucose levels - The AMORIS study

Background

The long-term trajectories of lipid and glucose levels in subjects who experience a major cardiovascular (CV) event at a young age has not been well studied. Our objective was to investigate lipid, lipoprotein, apolipoprotein (apo), and glucose levels in individuals experiencing a CV event before 50 years of age.

Methods and findings

A first CV event [non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), coronary revascularisation, or CV related death] before age 50 was recorded in 2,939 (cumulative incidence 1.2% in males and 0.3% in females) of 361,353 individuals included in the prospective Swedish AMORIS (Apolipoprotein-related MOrtality RISk) study with health examinations 1985–1996 and follow-up through 2011. In a nested case-control analysis, cases with a CV event were matched to randomly selected controls. Population risk factor trajectories were calculated up to 20 years prior to an event. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and glucose levels were higher in cases than in controls as early as 20 years prior to the event with differences increasing over time. Low density lipoprotein, apoB, and the apoB/apoA-1 ratio were higher and increased over time, while HDL and apoA-1 were lower in cases compared to controls. The odds ratio was 2.5 (95% confidence interval 1.6–3.7) for TC ≥5 mmol/L and TG ≥1.7 mmol/L in cases versus controls. The adjusted population-attributable fractions including lipids, glucose, diabetes, smoking, hypertension, and obesity indicated that about 50% of CV events before age 50 may be associated with elevated lipid and glucose levels.

Conclusions

Elevated TC, TG, LDL, apoB, and glucose levels and high apoB/apo A-1 ratio documented two decades before a CV event in subjects younger than 50 years may account for about half of CV events before age 50, which calls for early recognition and possibly treatment of modifiable CV risk factors in young individuals.

Probing insulin sensitivity in diabetic kidney disease: is there a stronger role for functional imaging?

Clinical and experimental evidence support a cause-effect relationship between altered insulin signaling and development of kidney disease of metabolic and non-metabolic origin. However, the current criteria to measure and/or estimate the insulin resistance (IR) are available as research tool but are very difficult to implement in the clinical practice. Therefore, a better understanding of the key players contributing to IR may lead to the development of new non-invasive tools to assess organ-specific insulin sensitivity (IS). We will therefore first introduce the concept that IR and kidney disease may be causally linked as suggested by clinical and experimental studies. We will then, expand on the potential mechanisms leading to altered renal insulin signaling. After reviewing the limitation of currently available strategies to determine IR, this review article will focus on imaging techniques that could be utilized to determine renal IR and that could be tested to predict kidney disease development and progression.