Metabolic Profile of Individuals with and without Type 2 Diabetes from Sub-Saharan Africa

Epidemiologicaldata predicts that sub-Saharan Africa will havethe largest increase in type 2 diabetes (T2D) prevalence over thenext two decades. Metabolomics studies have identified biomarkersthat could improve T2D diagnosis and follow-up. However, no studieshave characterized the metabolome of people from sub-Saharan Africa.Plasma samples from Senegalese individuals with T2D ( n = 31) or without T2D (n =34) were compared using measures of oxidative stress damage and plasmaantioxidant enzyme activity and mass-spectrometry-based metabolomicsanalyses. Results showed that glucose, lactate, and tricarboxylicacid metabolites (fumarate, malate, and succinate) were increasedin the T2D group, suggesting alterations in glycolysis and mitochondrialdysfunction. Several amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine, andtryptophan) and long-to-very-long-chain fatty acids were higher inthe T2D group. Finally, elevated levels of ketone bodies and acylcarnitineswere observed along with increased levels of oxidative stress damageand antioxidant activity. In conclusion, the T2D group exhibited modificationsin metabolites previously shown to be associated with T2D risk inpopulations from other areas of the world. Future studies should seekto test whether these metabolites could be used as predictors forT2D-related complications in people from sub-Saharan Africa.

Automated summary

Epidemiological data suggests that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) will increase the most in sub-Saharan Africa over the next two decades. Metabolomics studies have identified biomarkers that could enhance T2D diagnosis and monitoring. However, there is a lack of research on the metabolome of individuals from sub-Saharan Africa.