Yujia Liu

The Relationship between Branched-Chain Amino Acid Related Metabolomic Signature and Insulin Resistance: A Systematic Review

Recent studies have shown the positive association between increased circulating BCAAs (valine, leucine, and isoleucine) and insulin resistance (IR) in obese or diabetic patients. However, results seem to be controversial in different races, diets, and distinct tissues. Our aims were to evaluate the relationship between BCAA and IR as well as later diabetes risk and explore the phenotypic and genetic factors influencing BCAA level based on available studies. We performed systematic review, searching MEDLINE, EMASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from inception to March 2016. After selection, 23 studies including 20,091 participants were included. Based on current evidence, we found that BCAA is a useful biomarker for early detection of IR and later diabetic risk. Factors influencing BCAA level can be divided into four parts: race, gender, dietary patterns, and gene variants. These factors might not only contribute to the elevated BCAA level but also show obvious associations with insulin resistance. Genes related to BCAA catabolism might serve as potential targets for the treatment of IR associated metabolic disorders. Moreover, these factors should be controlled properly during study design and data analysis. In the future, more large-scale studies with elaborate design addressing BCAA and IR are required.

Using Metabolomic Profiles as Biomarkers for Insulin Resistance in Childhood Obesity: A Systematic Review.

A growing body of evidence has shown the intimate relationship between metabolomic profiles and insulin resistance (IR) in obese adults, while little is known about childhood obesity. In this review, we searched available papers addressing metabolomic profiles and IR in obese children from inception to February 2016 on MEDLINE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and EMASE. HOMA-IR was applied as surrogate markers of IR and related metabolic disorders at both baseline and follow-up. To minimize selection bias, two investigators independently completed this work. After critical selection, 10 studies (including 2,673 participants) were eligible and evaluated by using QUADOMICS for quality assessment. Six of the 10 studies were classified as “high quality.” Then we generated all the metabolites identified in each study and found amino acid metabolism and lipid metabolism were the main affected metabolic pathways in obese children. Among identified metabolites, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), aromatic amino acids (AAAs), and acylcarnitines were reported to be associated with IR as biomarkers most frequently. Additionally, BCAAs and tyrosine seemed to be relevant to future metabolic risk in the long-term follow-up cohorts, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and prevention strategy. Because of limited scale and design heterogeneity of existing studies, future studies might focus on validating above findings in more large-scale and longitudinal studies with elaborate design.

Ideal glycated hemoglobin cut-off points for screening diabetes and prediabetes in a Chinese population.

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the diagnostic value of fasting plasma glucose, 2‐h postload plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) measurements in the screening of diabetes and prediabetes, and to determine the cut‐off point of HbA1c in the diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes in a Chinese population.

The Relationship between Alcohol Consumption and Incidence of Glycometabolic Abnormality in Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese Men.

Aim. The relationship between alcohol consumption and glycometabolic abnormality is controversial, especially in different ethnic population. In this study, a cross-sectional survey was carried out to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and glycometabolic abnormality in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men. Methods. Using cluster random sampling, Chinese men aged more than 40 years from Changchun, China, were given standardized questionnaires. In total, 1996 individuals, for whom complete data was available, were recruited into the study. We calculated the incidence of prediabetes and newly diagnosed diabetes by three levels of alcohol consumption: light, moderate, and heavy. Multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for socioeconomic variables and diabetes-related risk factors were used to analyze the association between alcohol consumption and the onset of prediabetes and diabetes. Results. The univariate analysis revealed higher incidence of prediabetes among drinkers (32.8%) compared with nondrinkers (28.6%), particularly in heavy alcohol consumers. The logistic regression analysis showed that alcohol consumption, especially heavy consumption, was an independent risk factor for prediabetes. Conclusions. Alcohol consumption, heavy consumption in particular, is an independent risk factor for the development of prediabetes, but not for diabetes.

Evaluation of different obesity indices as predictors of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Chinese population.

The aim of the present study was to compare correlation coefficients between anthropometric indices and blood glucose level, and to determine optimal cutoff points of obesity indices in a Chinese population.

A clinical and neuropathological study of Chinese patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Objective To examine whether the neuropathological and metabolic changes of peripheral nerves are correlated to clinical features in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients with peripheral neuropathy. Methods 147 type 2 diabetic patients with signs/symptoms of diabetic peripheralneuropathy (DPN) aged 53.4±12.3 years and 134 healthy volunteers aged 55.5±11.7 years were investigated for fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), and red blood cell sorbitol (RBC sorbitol) in addition to nerve conduction velocity (NCV). Among the 147 diabetic patients, 10 patients underwent superficial peroneal nerve biopsy for light and electron microscopy. Results In the experimental group, the levels of HbA1c and RBC sorbitol showed significant increase compared with the controlled group, whereas motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) both showed decline and SNCV decreased at a greater extent. Morphologically, there were various degrees of nerve fiber loss, associated with axon degeneration and capillary luminal narrowing in 10 patients undergone nerve biopsy. Conclusion The metabolic change of sorbitol, the consequently observed changes in NCV and histopathology of peripheral nerves are positively correlated with the duration of diabetes and overall level of blood glucose.

The Role of Gut Hormones in Diet-Induced Weight Change: A Systematic Review

Gut hormones are known to play an important role in long-term weight loss maintenance after bariatric surgery. However, the interplay between gut hormones and diet-induced weight changes remains unclear. Our aims were to evaluate the alterations of gut hormones in diet-induced weight loss, weight maintenance, and weight regain periods. Available studies were searched on MEDLINE, EMASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, the Cochrane Library, and Web of science from inception to October 2016. After selection, 16 studies with 656 participants were included. Based on current evidence, we found significant alterations of gut hormones induced by different diets. In weight-loss diets, decreased fasting total PYY, GLP-1, CCK, GIP, PP, and amylin along with increased ghrelin levels were observed in most studies. After weight loss, the persistent decreases of fasting total PYY and GLP-1 levels as well as increased appetite were reported, suggesting the profound impact of altered gut hormones on later weight regain after dietary intervention. The differences between diet-induced changes in gut hormones and other treatments such as bariatric surgery and exercise are also discussed in this review. Although significant alterations of gut hormones were found during weight changes, huge heterogeneity exists in methods and populations. More large-scale studies with elaborate design addressing the gut hormone alterations in dietary weight regulation are required in the future.

Evaluation of different obesity indices as predictors of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Chinese population评价不同肥胖指数在中国人群中预测2型糖尿病的价值

The aim of the present study was to compare correlation coefficients between anthropometric indices and blood glucose level, and to determine optimal cutoff points of obesity indices in a Chinese population.

A novel mutation in the hepatocyte nuclear factor‑1β gene in maturity onset diabetes of the young 5 with multiple renal cysts and pancreas hypogenesis: A case report

A 17-year-old Chinese male was hospitalized exhibiting hyperglycemia and increased serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in addition to weight loss. The patient was treated with gliclazide. The patient was 150 cm tall, weighed 35 kg and had no family history of diabetes or kidney disease. Physical examination revealed cephalus quadratus, rachitic rosary and a visible toe-out gait. Laboratory examinations revealed that the patients fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels were markedly increased, fasting plasma C-peptide level was slightly increased and no peak 2 h postprandial was observed. Diabetic autoimmune antibodies [islet cell cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ICA), glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies (GADA), isulinoma-2-associated autoantibodies (IA2A) and insulin autoantibodies (IAA)] were negative. Levels of serum electrolytes decreased, uric acid and parathyroid hormone increased, mild albuminuria was detected and there was a low proportion of urine. The patient also presented with low bone mass and cataracts. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a bilateral atrophic kidney with multiple renal cysts, primarily located at the junction of renal cortex and medulla, with a diameter of 0.3-0.7 cm. CT also revealed hypogenesis of the body and tail of the pancreas. In an oral glucose tolerance test, the mother and paternal uncle of the patient were diagnosed with type II diabetes and the patients sister, maternal uncle and paternal grandpa were diagnosed with glucose tolerance impairment. Genetic testing revealed an unreported amino acid mutation in exon 2 of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1β (c.391C>T), a nonsense mutation of CAA to TAA at codon 131. This mutation was identified in the proband but not in any other family members.

Decreased Cardiovascular Risk after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery in Chinese Diabetic Patients with Obesity

Background The influence of bariatric surgery on cardiovascular risks in Chinese diabetic patients remains unclear. Here, we aimed to explore the impact of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) on cardiovascular risks in Chinese diabetic patients with obesity. Methods Twenty Chinese patients with T2DM and obesity undergoing RYGB surgery were included in this study. Cardiovascular risk factors were measured before and 18 months after surgery. A 10-year cardiovascular risk was calculated by the UKPDS risk engine. Linear regression analysis was performed on CHD risk, stroke risk, and baseline metabolic parameters. Results The complete remission rate of diabetes was 90% after RYGB surgery, with significant improvements in blood pressure, BMI, glucose, and lipid metabolism (P < 0.05). The 10-year cardiovascular risk of coronary heart disease reduced from 13.05% to 3.81% (P = 0.001) and the 10-year risk of stroke reduced from 19.66% to 14.22% (P = 0.002). In subgroup analysis, Chinese diabetic patients who were women, <45 years old, with BMI < 35 kg/m2, and DM duration > 5 years, using noninsulin therapy presented more obvious improvements in the 10-year cardiovascular risk after RYGB surgery. WHR, age, LDL-C, and HbA1c were the most important factors influencing CHD or stroke risk after RYGB surgery (P < 0.01). Conclusion RYGB surgery is an effective treatment to reduce cardiovascular risk in Chinese diabetic patients with obesity.