Research Article Details
Article ID: | A51901 |
PMID: | 33347566 |
Source: | J Clin Endocrinol Metab |
Title: | Plasma Bile Acids More Closely Align With Insulin Resistance, Visceral and Hepatic Adiposity Than Total Adiposity. |
Abstract: | CONTEXT: The etiological mechanism of bile acid (BA) effects on insulin resistance and obesity is unknown. OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to determine whether plasma BAs are elevated in human obesity and/or insulin resistance. METHODS: This observational study was conducted at an academic research center. Seventy-one adult volunteers formed 4 groups: lean insulin-sensitive (body mass index [BMI] ≤ 25 kg/m2, Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance [HOMA-IR] < 2.0, n = 19), overweight/obese nondiabetic who were either insulin sensitive (Obsensitive, BMI > 25 kg/m2, HOMA-IR < 1.5, n = 11) or insulin resistant (Obresistant, BMI > 25 kg/m2, HOMA-IR > 3.0, n = 20), and type 2 diabetes (T2D, n = 21). Main outcome measures included insulin sensitivity by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, body composition by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, abdominal fat distribution, and liver density by computed tomography and plasma BA. RESULTS: In the Obresistant group, glucose infusion rate/fat-free mass (GIR/FFM, an inverse measure of insulin resistance) was significantly lower, and visceral and liver fat higher, compared to lean and Obsensitive individuals, despite similar total adiposity in Obresistant and Obsensitive. Total BA concentrations were higher in Obresistant (2.62 ± 0.333 mmol/L, P = .03) and T2D (3.36 ± 0.582 mmol/L, P < .001) vs Obsensitive (1.16 ± 0.143 mmol/L), but were similar between Obsensitive and lean (2.31 ± 0.329 mmol/L) individuals. Total BAs were positively associated with waist circumference (R = 0.245, P = .041), visceral fat (R = 0.360, P = .002), and fibroblast growth factor 21 (R = 0.341, P = .004) and negatively associated with insulin sensitivity (R = -0.395, P = .001), abdominal subcutaneous fat (R = -0.352, P = .003), adiponectin (R = -0.375, P = .001), and liver fat (Hounsfield units, an inverse marker of liver fat, R = -0.245, P = .04). Conjugated BAs were additionally elevated in T2D individuals (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: BA concentrations correlated with abdominal, visceral, and liver fat in humans, though an etiological role in insulin resistance remains to be verified. |
DOI: | 10.1210/clinem/dgaa940 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
S02 | Enhance lipid metabolism | triglyceride-lowering; lipid tolerance; lipid metabolism | 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) inhibitor; Decreases intestinal cholesterol absorption; FXR agonist; ACC inhibitor; FAS inhibitor; DGAT2 inhibitor; SCD-1 inhibitor | Atorvastatin; Ezetimibe; Obeticholic Acid; GS-9674; GS-0976; TVB-2640; IONIS-DGAT2rx; Aramchol; | Details |
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D083 | CLA | Chemical drug | DB01211 | KCNH2; SLCO1B1; SLCO1B3 | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D094 | Cysteamine | Chemical drug | DB00847 | GSS stimulant | Renal drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D095 | Cysteamine bitartrate | Chemical drug | DB00847 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |