One-Year Changes in Urinary Microbial Phenolic Metabolites and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes-A Case-Control Study.

Area of Science:

• Metabolomics
• Gut Microbiome Research
• Nutritional Epidemiology

Background:

• Polyphenol intake is associated with reduced type 2 diabetes risk.
• Metabolically active molecules post-ingestion are under investigation for type 2 diabetes.
• Microbial phenolic metabolites (MPMs) are key intermediaries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between one-year changes in urinary MPMs and type 2 diabetes incidence.
• To identify specific MPMs associated with diabetes risk.
• To explore the role of gut microbial activity in polyphenol metabolism and diabetes.

Main Methods:

• Case-control study within the PREDIMED trial.
• Inclusion of 46 incident type 2 diabetes cases and 172 controls.
• Quantification of eight urinary MPMs using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
• Multivariable logistic regression models to assess associations with diabetes risk.

Main Results:

• Higher one-year changes in hydroxybenzoic acid glucuronide were associated with a significantly lower probability of developing type 2 diabetes (OR [95% CI], 0.39 [0.23−0.64]).
• This association lost statistical significance after adjusting for fasting plasma glucose.
• Dietary pattern changes may influence hydroxybenzoic acid glucuronide concentrations and gut microbial activity.

Conclusions:

• One-year changes in urinary hydroxybenzoic acid glucuronide may be a potential biomarker for type 2 diabetes risk.
• Dietary interventions impacting polyphenol intake and gut microbiota could influence this metabolite.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the causal mechanisms and clinical utility.