Postprandial lipemia modulates pancreatic alpha-cell function in the prediction of type 2 diabetes development: the CORDIOPREV study

Authors: POZUELO-SANCHEZ, ISABEL - University Of Cordova (UCO), Spain; VILLASANTA-GONZALEZ, ALEJANDRO - University Of Cordova (UCO), Spain; ALCALA-DIAZ, JUAN - University Of Cordova (UCO), Spain; VALS-DELGADO, CRISTINA - University Of Cordova (UCO), Spain; LEON-ACUNA, ANA - University Of Cordova (UCO), Spain; GONZALEZ-REQUERO, ANABEL - University Of Cordova (UCO), Spain; YUBERO-SERRANO, ELENA - University Of Cordova (UCO), Spain; LUQUE, RAUL - Instituto De Salud Carlos Iii; CABALLERO-VILLARRASO, JAVIER - University Hospital Reina Sofia; QUESADA, IVAN - Miguel Hernandez University; ORDOVAS, JOSE - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University; PEREZ-MARTINEZ, PABLO - University Of Cordova (UCO), Spain; RONCERO-RAMOS, IRENE - University Of Cordova (UCO), Spain; LOPEZ-MIRANDA, JOSE - University Of Cordova (UCO), Spain

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2020
Publication Date: 1/15/2020
Citation: Pozuelo-Sanchez, I., Villasanta-Gonzalez, A., Alcala-Diaz, J.F., Vals-Delgado, C., Leon-Acuna, A., Gonzalez-Requero, A., Yubero-Serrano, E.M., Luque, R.M., Caballero-Villarraso, J., Quesada, I., Ordovas, J.M., Perez-Martinez, P., Roncero-Ramos, I., Lopez-Miranda, J. 2020. Postprandial lipemia modulates pancreatic alpha-cell function in the prediction of type 2 diabetes development: the CORDIOPREV study. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 68(5):1266-1275. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.9b06801.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.9b06801

Interpretive Summary: Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) is a major global health issue and developing new approaches to its prevention is of paramount importance. Alpha-cells present in the pancreas and they produce a key hormone known as glucagon, which elevates the glucose levels in the blood. We hypothesized that abnormalities in lipid metabolism are involved in alpha-cell impairment. We therefore studied the metabolic factors underlying alpha-cell impairment in T2DM progression after a dietary intervention (Mediterranean and low-fat). Additionally, we evaluated whether glucagon blood levels, after a meal, may be considered as a predictive factor of T2DM in cardiovascular patients. Non-T2DM participants from the CORDIOPREV study were categorized according to the post-meal rise in plasma triglycerides and glucagon. Our results showed that patients with higher triglycerides levels presented also elevated post-meal glucagon. Moreover, we observed higher risk of T2DM in subjects with elevated glucagon. In conclusion, high post-meal lipid levels may induce alpha-cell impairment in cardiovascular patients and could be used to predict T2DM development.

Technical Abstract: Diabetes (T2DM) is a major global health issue, and developing new approaches to its prevention is of paramount importance. We hypothesized that abnormalities in lipid metabolism are involved in alpha-cell deregulation. We therefore studied the metabolic factors underlying alpha-cell dysfunction in T2DM progression after a dietary intervention (Mediterranean and low-fat). Additionally, we evaluated whether postprandial glucagon levels may be considered as a predictive factor of T2DM in cardiovascular patients. Non-T2DM participants from the CORDIOPREV study were categorized by tertiles of the area under the curve (AUC) for triacylglycerols and also by tertiles of AUC for glucagon. Our results showed that patients with higher triacylglycerols levels presented elevated postprandial glucagon (P = 0.009). Moreover, we observed higher risk of T2DM (hazard ratio: 2.65; 95% confidence interval: 1.56-4.53) in subjects with elevated glucagon. In conclusion, high postprandial lipemia may induce alpha-cell dysfunction in cardiovascular patients. Our results also showed that postprandial glucagon levels could be used to predict T2DM development.