Plasma branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are linked with developing diabetes and metabolic abnormalities, and the connection is particularly strong in Whites and Hispanics, according to a study involving 685 individuals.

Participants were from the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study, and did not have diabetes. They included 290 Whites, 165 African Americans, and 230 Hispanics. Investigators measured plasma BCAAs via frequent glucose tolerance testing.

Among the results:

• Elevated plasma BCAAs were positively linked with fasting insulin after adjusting for potential confounders.

• Whites and Hispanics with elevated plasma BCAAs were 67% more likely to develop diabetes vs people of those races without such elevations; this was not observed in African Americans.

Citation: Lee C, Watkins S, Loranzo C, et al. Branched-chain amino acids and insulin metabolism: The Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS). [Published online ahead of print February 19, 2016]. Diabetes Care. doi: 10.2337/dc15-2284.