Association between fatty acid profile and normal thyroid hormone with different glucose status

Studies have demonstrated that thyroid hormone is regulated by both glucose and fatty acids. However, previous studies focused on patients with thyroid dysfunction rather than with normal thyroid hormone. The purpose of research was to explore the relationship between normal thyroid hormone and fatty acid metabolism with different glucose status.

This was an observational study. In all participants, basic demographic characteristics, blood lipid profiles, glycemic status and thyroid hormone levels were assessed. Additionally, serum fatty acid profiles were determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

919 subjects were enrolled (239 with diabetes; 680 without diabetes). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that in the diabetic group, levels of free thyroxine (FT4) showed a negative correlation with eicosatrienoic acid (β=-0.289 p < 0.01), while levels of arachidonic acid (β = 0.178 p = 0.016), eicosanoic acid (β = 0.188 p = 0.018) and alcohol consumption (β = 0.147 p = 0.026) exhibited a positive correlation with FT4. In non-diabetic group, FT4 was negatively related to levels of palmitic acid (β=-0.32 p < 0.01), linoleic acid (β=-0.15 p = 0.04), myristic acid(β=-0.304 p < 0.01), docosapentaenoic acid(β=-0.215 p = 0.04), age (β=-0.109 p < 0.01), HDL-C (β=-0.116 p < 0.01) and smoking (β = 0.11 p < 0.01); FT4 was positively correlated with levels of arachidic acid (β = 0.305 p < 0.01) and palmitoleic acid (β = 0.569 p < 0.01).

The relationship between normal thyroid hormone levels and fatty acid levels significantly differed among different glucose status. These findings provide further insights into the relationship between the serum fatty acid metabolism profile and in individuals with different glucose state. The study provided clinical data that can inform the prevention and treatment of lipid metabolism disorders and cardiovascular disease.

Not applicable.