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Metabolomic profile of genetic liability to type 2 diabetes among 125,000 Mexican adults: a Mendelian randomisation study

Abstract:
Objective: The Mexican population experiences a notably high prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and high T2D-associated disease risks. We used targeted plasma NMR-metabolomics data within a Mendelian randomisation framework to characterise the metabolomic profile of genetically-predicted liability to T2D in this population.

Research Design and Methods: Between 1998 and 2004, 50,000 men and 100,000 women ≥35 years were recruited from Mexico City. Mendelian randomisation analyses used a genetic risk score (GRS) comprising 1055 established T2D-associated risk variants and eight pathway-specific T2D GRSs constructed from non-overlapping subsets of these variants to estimate associations with 143 metabolic biomarkers (including lipids, lipoproteins, fatty acids, amino acids, ketone bodies and other low molecular weight biomarkers).

Results: Among 125,587 included participants, the T2D GRS explained 6.0% of T2D liability and was not associated with major potential confounders of the relationships of T2D with the circulating metabolome. Genetically-predicted liability to T2D was strongly positively associated with concentrations of VLDL particles and lipids within these, with triglycerides, branch chain amino acids and glycoprotein acetyls, and more modestly positively associated with IDL and LDL, particularly small LDL, particles. Inverse associations were found with relative concentrations of several fatty acids. Pathway-specific T2D GRSs all associated with higher T2D risk but showed differential relationships with circulating metabolic biomarkers.

Conclusions: T2D is associated with widespread changes in the circulating metabolome among adults in Mexico reflecting diverse biological mechanisms and highlighting the importance of effective T2D management, including control of T2Dassociated dyslipidaemia, in this population.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.2337/dc25-2933

Authors

More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Nuffield Department of Population Health
Sub department:
Clinical Trial Service Unit
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Nuffield Department of Population Health
Sub department:
Clinical Trial Service Unit
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Nuffield Department of Population Health
Sub department:
Clinical Trial Service Unit
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Nuffield Department of Population Health
Sub department:
Clinical Trial Service Unit
Role:
Author


More from this funder
Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/03x94j517
Grant:
MC_UU_00017/2
MR/Z504543/1


Publisher:
American Diabetes Association
Journal:
Diabetes Care More from this journal
Publication date:
2026-03-27
Acceptance date:
2026-02-06
DOI:
EISSN:
1935-5548
ISSN:
0149-5992


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
2372284
Local pid:
pubs:2372284
Deposit date:
2026-02-13
ARK identifier:

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