An Assay of Selected Serum Amino Acids in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. In case of insulin resistance, which is typical for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), proteolysis is increased and protein synthesis is decreased; therefore, we can observe changes in the levels of amino acids in diabetics vs. non-diabetics. Objectives. The aim of this study was to find differences in the levels of selected amino acids between patients with diabetes (type 2) and a control group. Material and Methods. Amino acids were derivatized with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde in the presence of potassium cyanide to form fluorescent 1-cyanobenz(f)isoindole product. Amino acids derivatives were measured using a high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The serum levels of glucose were determined using an automatic biochemistry analyzer, glycated hemoglobin HbA1c was measured by cation exchange chromatography. Results. A total of 19 serum amino acids in T2DM patients and non-diabetics were measured. There were 9 amino acids, which were significantly different in these groups (p < 0.05). Significantly decreased levels of arginine, asparagine, glycine, serine, threonine and significantly increased levels of alanine, isoleucine, leucine, valine in diabetics were found. Conclusions. Significant difference in metabolism of amino acids between diabetics and non-diabetics were observed. The altered levels of amino acids in diabetic patients could be a suitable predictor of diabetes (Adv Clin Exp Med 2015, 24, 3, 447-451).

Determination of Selected Amino Acids in Serum of Patients with Liver Disease

“…We found significant differences in AAA and BCAA concentrations between women and men, but not between the patients and the control group. This method was also used for the determination of serum amino acids in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [15]. The serum levels of BCAA were statistically significantly increased in patients.…”

“…Therefore, patients with diabetes mellitus were excluded from the study. Insulin resistance results in increased proteolysis and BCAA levels are elevated [15,22]. In skeletal muscle, BCAAs act as an essential donor of nitrogen in the BCAA transaminase reaction to form glutamate.…”

<p>Detection of Secondary Metabolites as Biomarkers for the Early Diagnosis and Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes</p>

“…12,15 Previous studies indicated that plasma glycine level is a negative biomarker in patients with diabetes mellitus. [18][19][20][21] Glycine metabolism pathway indicates the participation of many other important metabolites that mostly serve in the biosynthesis of glycine. However, many of these metabolites have not been proven to be associated with insulin resistance or diabetes.…”

L‐serine: a neglected amino acid with a potential therapeutic role in diabetes

“…A study of children with type 1 diabetes and non‐diabetic controls found that the concentration of L‐serine in plasma was decreased by 42% in patients . Similar studies of patients with type 2 diabetes have found reduced L‐serine concentration in blood . The postprandial L‐serine concentration in response to a standardized meal differs between type 2 diabetes patients and non‐diabetic controls, with patients having a reduced concentration of L‐serine in blood, while controls have an increased concentration .…”