Visual Abstract
Introduction: IRS is a precursor to the development of prediabetes which manifests itself in the form of compensatory insulin secretion. The role of GLP-1 in this compensatory mechanism has not been well studied especially among various ethnic groups.
Aim: To assess differences in GLP-1 responses to OGTT and its relationship to insulin resistance indices (HOMA-IR) among 3 major ethnic groups with prediabetes.
Methods: Fifty-four prediabetes subjects (21 Malays, 17 Chinese and 16 Indians) matched for age, gender, BMI and waist circumference underwent a 75-g OGTT. Plasma glucose and total GLP-1 concentrations were measured at 0, 30 and 120 minutes. Fasting glucose and insulin were obtained for the HOMA analyses.
Results: Indians were the most insulin resistant. This is mirrored by Indians having the highest GLP-1 levels at 0, 30 and 120 minutes. Similarly, the area under the curve for GLP-1 was 59% higher in Indians and 50% higher in Chinese compared to the Malays. GLP-1 level was positively correlated with HOMA-IR (r=0.576, p<0.001). Ethnicity was a significant determinant of GLP-1 level with Indians exhibiting the strongest positive correlation (B=7.02, p<0.001).
Conclusions: In prediabetes, GLP-1 responses post-OGTT increased proportionately to IRS, evidenced by the augmented GLP-1 responses in the Indians who possessed the highest HOMA-IR indices.
S. C. Chong: None. N. Sukor: None. S. Robert: None. K. F. Ng: None. N. A. Kamaruddin: None.
National University of Malaysia Medical Centre (GUP-2017-066); Malaysian Endocrine & Metabolic Society (L12-MEMS6)
