Elevated triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index predicts impaired islet β-cell function: A hospital-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between the TyG index and the insulin secretion function of pancreatic β-cells, and to determine the possibility of the TyG index in predicting β-cell dysfunction and the development of diabetes.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed among 914 participants who took their annual health checkups at the Third Xiangya Hospital. The early- and late-phase pancreatic β-cell secretion was assessed based on the results of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). In addition to anthropometric parameters and laboratory parameters, information about health-related habits and disease histories was obtained from the National Physical Examination Questionnaire. Partial correlation analysis was used to study the relationship between the TyG index and pancreatic β-cell function. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to calculate the cut-off points of the TyG index in predicting β-cell dysfunction. According to the OGTT results and medical history, the participants were categorized into three groups: the normal glucose tolerance group (NGT, n=276), the impaired glucose regulation group (IGT, n=323), and the diabetes group (DM, n=315). The correlation between the TyG index and β-cell function among the three groups and the association between the TyG index and glucose metabolic conditions were further explored.ResultsThe TyG index was negatively correlated with the indexes that reflect the early and late secretory function of β-cells, not only in the NGT group but also in the IGT and DM group. The minimum cut-off values for the TyG index to identify the risk of early- and late-phase β-cell dysfunction are 9.08 and 9.2 respectively. The TyG indexes of the IGT and DM group were higher than that of the NGT group, and with the growth of the TyG index, the risk of prediabetes and diabetes increased significantly.ConclusionIncreased TyG index is associated with impaired β-cell function regardless of the glucose metabolic conditions. The TyG index is an alternative indicator for predicting β-cell dysfunction.

Association of triglyceride-glucose index trajectory and frailty in urban older residents: evidence from the 10-year follow-up in a cohort study

“…The elevated TyG index is associated with impaired β-cell function regardless of the glucose metabolic status [ 38 ]. Therefore, TyG index closely mirrors the status of insulin sensitivity.…”

Association of the triglyceride-glucose index and its related parameters with frailty

“…IR implies diminished sensitivity of the body to insulin and elevated plasma glucose levels, as well as a diminished ability of the liver to process glucose, thus resulting in the conversion of excess glucose into triglycerides. Therefore, the TyG index is considered a credible indicator of pancreatic β-cell function and is not influenced by the state of glucose metabolism [37]. The TyG index has been shown to have favorable specificity and sensitivity in the diagnosis and prediction of many diseases, particularly CVD [38][39][40].…”

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