Higher levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), as well as certain aromatic amino acids like alanine, in plasma, have been correlated to insulin resistance (IR) in T2DM. 

A new study aimed to examine the effects of IR and renal dysfunction on plasma amino acid (AA) concentrations in T2DM.

The present study entailed data collection from healthy male controls and male T2DM patients who presented from May 2018 until February 2022. Overall, 49 and 93 participants were selected for the control and T2DM groups, respectively. 

Overall, eight AAs – alanine, glutamine, glycine, leucine, isoleucine, tyrosine, valine, and glutamic acid, and the total BCAA showed significant correlations with the homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR). While six AAs, namely – gamma-aminobutyric acid, cysteine, glycine, citrulline, methionine, and valine, as well as the total BCAA had a marked correlation with the serum cystatin C (CysC). Of note, only alanine, glutamic acid, and each BCAA showed significant differences between the control group and the IR T2DM subgroup. However, the increments in BCAA levels due to T2DM were nullified by renal dysfunction in patients with intermediate IR.

It was concluded that before utilizing plasma BCAA concentration as a marker of IR, renal function must be observed. Irrespective of the renal dysfunction––although mild––alanine and glutamic acid levels indicate IR.

Source: Journal of Diabetes Research. 2022 Jun 13;2022:2048300. doi: 10.1155/2022/2048300. eCollection 2022.