Plasma Sphingolipids in Relation to Glycemia and Glucose Tolerance in People Without Diabetes

Sphingolipids have been linked to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.

To examine the association of plasma sphingolipids with glycemic measures in adults without diabetes.

Plasma sphingolipid species (ceramides, monohexosyl ceramides, lactosyl ceramides, sphingomyelins, and sphingosines) were assayed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in baseline specimens obtained from participants in the Pathobiology of Prediabetes in a Biracial Cohort study (n = 240) and the Diabetes Prevention Program (n = 280). Based on oral glucose tolerance tests, we identified participants with (1) normal fasting plasma glucose (NFG) (<100 mg/dL) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) [2-hour plasma glucose (2hPG) < 140 mg/dL]; (2) impaired fasting glucose (IFG; 100-125 mg/dL) with normal 2hPG; (3) impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (2hPG 140-199 mg/dL with NFG); and (4) IFG and IGT.

The participants (63% female; 48% Black, 52% White) had a mean age of 45.5 ± 9.84 years, body mass index (BMI) 32.4 ± 7.24 kg/m2, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) 99.8 ± 10.5 mg/dL, and 2hPG 145 ± 29.4 mg/dL. FPG and 2hPG levels correlated positively with ceramides, sphingomyelins, and sphingosine and inversely with monohexosyl ceramides, lactosyl ceramides, and sphingosine-1 phosphate levels, adjusted for age, sex, race, and BMI. Plasma ceramides, sphingomyelins, and sphingosine increased progressively across participants with NFG-NGT, isolated IGT, and IFG-IGT, whereas the opposite was seen for monohexosyl ceramides, lactosyl ceramides, and sphingosine-1 phosphate levels (ANOVA P < .0001).

Circulating levels of major sphingolipid species are significantly associated with glycemia and glucose tolerance, indicating a possible link between sphingolipid metabolism and glucoregulation in people without diabetes.