Plasma N-glycome shows continuous deterioration as the diagnosis of insulin resistance approaches

Cvetko et al.

BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care

Objective

The aim of this study was to identify glycan patterns that could predict diabetes type 2 or even insulin resistance that preceedes it.

Methods

A total of 534 individuals, without insulin resistance and/or diabetes at baseline, were included in the study. Total plasma glycans were analyzed at multiple time points over a 10-year follow-up period, during which some participants developed insulin resistance and/or type 2 diabetes.

Results

Eight plasma glycans were found to differ between individuals who remained healthy and those who developed insulin resistance and/or type 2 diabetes during the 10-year follow-up.

These differences were detectable up to a decade before diagnosis and became increasingly pronounced over time, indicating a continuous shift in specific glycan patterns leading up to disease onset.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the potential of plasma glycans as early biomarkers for predicting insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, years before clinical diagnosis.

The results also highlight a continuous deterioration of the glycan profile over time, reflecting the gradual progression toward disease.

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