Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP)—already shown to be potentially linked with obesity and metabolic disorders—may be a marker of prediabetes, according to a study involving 580 African-American individuals with new type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glucose.

Investigators measured fasting serum LBP at baseline. They also looked at changes in adiposity and glucose homeostasis, and noted those who developed new type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glucose ~6 years later. Among the results:

• LBP was significantly linked with baseline BMI, waist circumference, whole-body and trunk fat, skeletal muscle density, fasting serum insulin, and insulin resistance.

• Higher LBP at baseline was significantly linked with longitudinal increases in the percentage of trunk fat and insulin resistance.

• Men with normal glucose and baseline LBP were 51% more likely to have impaired fasting glucose vs those without baseline LBP (after adjusting for baseline trunk fat and lifestyle factors). This link diminished after further adjusting for change in trunk fat.

Citation: Tilves C, Zmuda J, Kuipers A, et al. Association of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein with aging-related adiposity change and prediabetes among African ancestry men. Diabetes Care. 2016;39(3):385-391. doi:10.2337/dc15-1777.