nih-gov/www.nih.gov/node/7296
2025-02-26 13:17:41 -05:00

579 lines
44 KiB
Text
Raw Permalink Blame History

This file contains invisible Unicode characters

This file contains invisible Unicode characters that are indistinguishable to humans but may be processed differently by a computer. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

This file contains Unicode characters that might be confused with other characters. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html class="no-js" lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="content: http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/ dc: http://purl.org/dc/terms/ foaf: http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/ rdfs: http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema# sioc: http://rdfs.org/sioc/ns# sioct: http://rdfs.org/sioc/types# skos: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core# xsd: http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#">
<head>
<title>Blood Test May Predict Diabetes Risk | National Institutes of Health (NIH)</title>
<meta charset="utf-8" />
<script type="text/javascript">
//<![CDATA[
var usasearch_config = { siteHandle:"nih" };
var script = document.createElement("script");
script.type = "text/javascript";
script.src = "//search.usa.gov/javascripts/remote.loader.js";
document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(script);
//]]>
</script><link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://www.nih.gov/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" />
<meta name="google-site-verification" content="rjIoO4vW0AYgltSYvxM1L_CzGIkq28kHf9gHIASKx8s" />
<link rel="profile" href="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml/vocab" />
<meta http-equiv="cleartype" content="on" />
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/all/themes/nih/apple-touch-icon.png" />
<meta name="description" content="Scientists have identified 5 molecules in the blood that can foretell diabetes risk years before typical signs of the disease appear. The finding might help to identify at-risk people who could take steps to delay or halt the disease." />
<meta name="keywords" content="NIH, research, study, discovery, biology, biological, medical, health, news, update, updates, highlights, advances, discovery, discoveries, research news, research update, research highlights, research advances, research discoveries, medical research news, medical research update, research column, medical information, health news, biomedical, biological science, medical findings, research findings, medical research findings, blood, predict, diabetes, risk, prevent, insulin, type 2, biomarkers, Thomas J. Wang, Framingham, metabolomics, amino acids, Nature Medicine, isoleucine, leucine, valine, tyrosine and phenylalanine" />
<meta name="robots" content="follow, index" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
<meta name="generator" content="Drupal 7 (http://drupal.org)" />
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/blood-test-may-predict-diabetes-risk" />
<link rel="shortlink" href="https://www.nih.gov/node/7296" />
<meta http-equiv="content-language" content="EN" />
<meta property="og:site_name" content="National Institutes of Health (NIH)" />
<meta property="og:type" content="article" />
<meta property="og:title" content="Blood Test May Predict Diabetes Risk" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/blood-test-may-predict-diabetes-risk" />
<meta property="og:description" content="Scientists have identified 5 molecules in the blood that can foretell diabetes risk years before typical signs of the disease appear. The finding might help to identify at-risk people who could take steps to delay or halt the disease." />
<meta property="og:updated_time" content="2015-07-06T10:59:01-04:00" />
<meta property="og:image" content="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/news-events/research-matters/2011/20110328-diabetes.jpg" />
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" />
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Blood Test May Predict Diabetes Risk" />
<meta name="twitter:url" content="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/blood-test-may-predict-diabetes-risk" />
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Scientists have identified 5 molecules in the blood that can foretell diabetes risk years before typical signs of the disease appear. The finding might help to identify at-risk people who could take" />
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/news-events/research-matters/2011/20110328-diabetes.jpg" />
<meta property="article:published_time" content="2015-05-22T12:54:46-04:00" />
<meta property="article:modified_time" content="2015-07-06T10:59:01-04:00" />
<meta name="owner" content="OD" />
<meta name="published_date" content="2015-05-22T12:54:46-04:00" />
<meta name="last_revision" content="2015-07-06T10:59:01-04:00" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_PfvPCWanzn7FjDwZqwAHhPoOxYKwkQP-RZSK1pFFG0s.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css__mIWP9gcStq74isjZVoAAsiih8VXwJoN75Nyw_BXrj0.css" media="screen" />
<style media="print">#sb-container{position:relative;}#sb-overlay{display:none;}#sb-wrapper{position:relative;top:0;left:0;}#sb-loading{display:none;}
</style>
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_jENQOQqZCRFGZK__DTefxYiXR2RUf03k1ugj3_Vg7vk.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="//cdn.jsdelivr.net/qtip2/3.0.3/jquery.qtip.min.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_3yt-b0M1HNJsvKsXwYjh5TEtX2lJGAvJvtmVAfORYZs.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Droid+Sans:700,regular|Droid+Serif:italic,regular&amp;subset=latin" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_E4VlyxyL3JMcT6dslWLGb0uQdoI2bh_Xj0N65V-bcWo.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_5rDMv37-JxnNA70cRr_1jlAjVs56DCb8EN4XB2QLl0c.css" media="all" />
<!--[if lte IE 8]>
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_aLJB_yHt22A_mQek4IRDNsur5tEkCpqLe72j_w6QHQ0.css" media="all" />
<![endif]-->
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_KviiBystpJcQq4MplcQZvCFxnu9V763f5bPq_AKh4xM.css" media="all" />
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_mQAv54bz2JVXcwS5QWlz0fVY9Os67zeu9bgNqtlVLPY.js"></script>
<script src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-2.2.4.min.js"></script>
<script>window.jQuery || document.write("<script src='/sites/all/modules/contrib/jquery_update/replace/jquery/2.2/jquery.min.js'>\x3C/script>")</script>
<script>jQuery.migrateMute=true;jQuery.migrateTrace=false;</script>
<script src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-migrate-1.4.1.min.js"></script>
<script>window.jQuery && window.jQuery.migrateWarnings || document.write("<script src='/sites/all/modules/contrib/jquery_update/replace/jquery-migrate/1.4.1/jquery-migrate.min.js'>\x3C/script>")</script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_9sGTPBGcOGZjLiSLGrYEnuUf8VdvLmL_DEZNNNbnHXk.js"></script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_hNnF7a_sbk6nZ2-mOamHzalYND7HBHDLRInsaU93HDk.js"></script>
<script>document.createElement( "picture" );</script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_gHk2gWJ_Qw_jU2qRiUmSl7d8oly1Cx7lQFrqcp3RXcI.js"></script>
<script src="//cdn.jsdelivr.net/qtip2/3.0.3/jquery.qtip.min.js"></script>
<script defer="defer" src="//script.crazyegg.com/pages/scripts/0011/2616.js"></script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_3s0l7MQ3oYmGkNAypyzCJq3a0wT85XX_P1SLgnph5K4.js"></script>
<script>
Shadowbox.path = "/sites/all/libraries/shadowbox/";
</script>
<script>jQuery.extend(Drupal.settings, {"basePath":"\/","pathPrefix":"","setHasJsCookie":0,"instances":"{\u0022default\u0022:{\u0022content\u0022:{\u0022text\u0022:\u0022\u0022},\u0022style\u0022:{\u0022tip\u0022:false,\u0022classes\u0022:\u0022\u0022},\u0022position\u0022:{\u0022at\u0022:\u0022bottom right\u0022,\u0022adjust\u0022:{\u0022method\u0022:\u0022\u0022},\u0022my\u0022:\u0022top left\u0022,\u0022viewport\u0022:false},\u0022show\u0022:{\u0022event\u0022:\u0022mouseenter \u0022},\u0022hide\u0022:{\u0022event\u0022:\u0022mouseleave \u0022}}}","qtipDebug":"{\u0022leaveElement\u0022:0}","shadowbox":{"animate":true,"animateFade":true,"animSequence":"wh","auto_enable_all_images":1,"auto_gallery":1,"autoplayMovies":true,"continuous":false,"counterLimit":10,"counterType":"default","displayCounter":true,"displayNav":true,"enableKeys":true,"fadeDuration":0.34999999999999998,"handleOversize":"resize","handleUnsupported":"link","initialHeight":160,"initialWidth":320,"language":"en","modal":false,"overlayColor":"#000","overlayOpacity":0.80000000000000004,"resizeDuration":0.55000000000000004,"showMovieControls":true,"slideshowDelay":0,"viewportPadding":20,"useSizzle":false},"picture":{"mappings":[["Sidebar media mappings","sidebar_media_mappings"],["Floated media mappings","floated_media_mappings"],["Not Set","not_set"]],"label":"Image size (required)"},"extlink":{"extTarget":"_blank","extClass":"ext","extLabel":"(link is external)","extImgClass":0,"extIconPlacement":0,"extSubdomains":1,"extExclude":"(.\\.nih\\.gov.)|(.\\.cancer\\.gov.)|(.\\.genome\\.gov.)|(.\\.drugabuse\\.gov.)|(locatorplus\\.gov.)|(.\\.govdelivery\\.com.)|(.\\.hatchbuck\\.com.)|(nihseniorhealth\\.gov.)|(clinicaltrials\\.gov.)|(search\\.usa\\.gov\\\/search\\?affiliate\\=hip.)|(search\\.gov\\\/search\\?affiliate\\=hip.)|(drugabuse\\.gov.)|(medlineplus\\.gov.)|(collegedrinkingprevention\\.gov.)|(smokefree\\.gov.)|(arpa-h\\.gov.)|(nih\\.sharepoint\\.com)","extInclude":"(.\\.pagefreezer\\.com.)","extCssExclude":".media, .emergency-message, .slideshow-main, .bean-home-slideshow-2l-block","extCssExplicit":"","extAlert":"_blank","extAlertText":"You are leaving the NIH website.\r\n\r\nThis external link provides additional information that is consistent with the intended purpose of this site. NIH cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal site.\r\n\r\nLinking to a non-federal site does not constitute an endorsement by NIH or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site. You will be subject to the destination site\u2019s privacy policy when you follow the link.","mailtoClass":"mailto","mailtoLabel":"(link sends e-mail)","extUseFontAwesome":0}});</script>
<script type="application/javascript" id="uws-snippet">
// Verint Unified WebSDK Integration Snippet v2.3
//
// Instructions: please embed this snippet directly into every page of your website template.
// For optimal performance, this should be embedded directly into the template, not referenced as
// an external file.
//
// DO NOT MODIFY BELOW THIS LINE *****************************************
(function () {
var cookies = document.cookie.split("; ").reduce(function (o, i) { var p = i.split("="); o[p[0]] = p[1]; return o; }, {});
var containerValue = cookies.uws_container_override && JSON.parse(decodeURIComponent(cookies.uws_container_override));
var config = {
moduleHost: "ucm-us.verint-cdn.com",
configHost: "ucm-us.verint-cdn.com",
siteKey: "nih-gov",
container: containerValue || "live",
loadTime: Date.now()
};
var readyCallbacks = []; window.uwsReady = function (callback) { readyCallbacks.push(callback); };
var sdkPath = "//" + [config.moduleHost, "files/sites", config.siteKey, config.container, "sdk.js"].join("/");
var script = document.createElement("script"); script.src = sdkPath; script.async = true; script.type = "module";
script.addEventListener("load", function () { window.unifiedSDK.start(config, readyCallbacks); });
document.head.appendChild(script);
})();
// DO NOT MODIFY ABOVE THIS LINE *****************************************
</script>
</head>
<body class="html not-front not-logged-in page-node page-node- page-node-7296 node-type-nih-research-matters section navigation-nih-research-matters section-news-events">
<a href="#main-content" class="element-invisible element-focusable">Skip to main content</a>
<noscript aria-hidden="true"><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5CBCNW2" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>
<div class="l-page has-one-sidebar has-sidebar-second">
<div class="l-page-content">
<header class="l-header" role="banner">
<div class="l-ribbon-wrapper">
<ul class="l-ribbon">
<li><span class="ribbon-hhs"></span><a href="https://www.hhs.gov">U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services</a><span class="ribbon-right"></span></li>
</ul>
</div> <div class="l-banner-wrapper">
<div class="l-banner">
<div class="l-branding">
<a class="nih-logo icon-nih-logo" href="/" title="National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Turning Discovery into Health" rel="home"><img src="/sites/all/themes/nih/images/nih-logo-color.png" width="390" height="60" alt="National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Turning Discovery into Health" /></a>
</div>
<!-- DigitalGov Search -->
<form accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://search.nih.gov/search" id="search" class="search-form site-search" method="get">
<div style="margin:0;padding:0;display:inline"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="&#x2713;" /></div>
<input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="nih" />
<label for="query" class="hide">Search the NIH Website</label>
<input autocomplete="on" class="usagov-search-autocomplete form-field form-field-site-search" id="query" name="query" type="text" placeholder="Search NIH" /><input type="submit" name="commit" value="Search" class="form-button form-button-site-search" />
</form>
<ul class="banner-utilities">
<li><a href="/virtual-tour">Virtual Tour</a></li>
<li><a href="https://ned.nih.gov/">Staff Directory</a></li>
<li><a href="https://salud.nih.gov">En Espa&ntilde;ol</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</header>
<div class="l-navigation-wrapper">
<!-- ****************** SITE MENU ****************** -->
<h2 class="element-invisible">Site Menu</h2>
<nav class="l-menu-wrapper">
<ul class="l-menu">
<!-- ********* HOME TAB (Mobile view only) ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-home">
<div class="tab home"><a href="/"><span>Home</span></a></div>
</li>
<!-- ********* HEALTH INFO TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-healthinfo tab-wrapper-left">
<div class="tab"><a href="/health-information"><span>Health Information</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul class="sub-menu">
<li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/programs/social-services/health-care-facilities/index.html">Health Care Providers & Facilities</a></li>
<li><a href="/health-information/health-info-lines">Health Info Lines</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.healthcare.gov">HealthCare.gov</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/science-education">Science Education Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you">NIH Clinical Research Trials and You</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/talking-your-doctor">Talking to Your Doctor</a></li>
<!--<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/clear-health-nih" title="">Clear Health AZ</a></li>-->
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/health-information" title="More Health Information">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<form id="hipsearch" accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://search.nih.gov/search" method="get" class="search-form">
<p class="subhead"><label for="query2">Search Health Topics</label></p>
<div class="input-wrapper">
<div style="margin:0;padding:0;display:inline"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="&#x2713;" /></div>
<input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="hip" />
<input type="hidden" name="dc" value="940" />
<input autocomplete="on" maxlength="50" class="usagov-search-autocomplete form-field form-field-search" id="query2" name="query" type="text" />
<input name="commit" type="submit" value="Go" id="searchbutton" class="form-button" />
</div>
</form>
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul class="sub-menu">
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-medlineplus" href="https://medlineplus.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">MedlinePlus Health Info</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-newsinhealth" href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH News in Health</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-wellnesstoolkits" href="/health-information/your-healthiest-self-wellness-toolkits"><span class="minibadge-text">Wellness Toolkits</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* GRANTS TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-grants tab-wrapper-left">
<div class="tab"><a href="/grants-funding"><span>Grants & Funding</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov">Grants Home Page</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/funding/index.htm">Find Funding</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/due-dates-and-submission-policies/due-dates.htm">Due Dates</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide.html">How to Apply</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/about_grants.htm">About Grants</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/policy/index.htm">Policy &amp; Compliance</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nexus.od.nih.gov/all/">Grants News/Blog</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/funding/contracts.htm">Contracts</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.lrp.nih.gov/">Loan Repayment</a></li>
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/grants-funding" title="More Grants &amp; Funding Information">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-report" href="https://report.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">RePORT</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-era" href="https://commons.era.nih.gov/commons/"><span class="minibadge-text">eRA Commons</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-commonfund" href="https://commonfund.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Common Fund</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* NEWS TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-news tab-wrapper-left">
<div class="tab"><a href="/news-events"><span>News &amp; Events</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="/news-events/news-releases">News Releases</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/digital-media-kits">Digital Media Kits</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/media-resources">Media Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/media-contacts">Media Contacts</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/images-b-roll">Images and B-roll</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/events">Events</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/social-media-outreach">Social Media</a></li>
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/news-events" title="More News &amp; Events">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-newsinhealth" href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH News in Health</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-researchmatters" href="/news-events/nih-research-matters"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Research Matters</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-nihrecord" href="https://nihrecord.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Record</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* RESEARCH TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-research tab-wrapper-right">
<div class="tab"><a href="/research-training"><span>Research &amp; Training</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="/research-training/medical-research-initiatives">Medical Research Initiatives</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/science-highlights">Science Highlights</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/science-education">Science Education</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/research-nih-labs-clinics">Research in NIH Labs &amp; Clinics</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/training-opportunities">Training Opportunities</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/library-resources">Library Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/research-resources">Research Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/clinical-research-resources">Clinical Research Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/safety-regulation-guidance">Safety, Regulation and Guidance</a></li>
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/research-training" title="More Research &amp; Training">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-pubmed" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">PubMed</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-stemcell" href="https://stemcells.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">Stem Cell Information</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-oppnet" href="https://oppnet.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">OppNet</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-nidb" href="https://intramural.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">NIDB</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-nihblueprint" href="https://neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* INSTITUTES TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-institutes tab-wrapper-right">
<div class="tab"><a href="/institutes-nih"><span>Institutes at NIH</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/list-institutes-centers">List of Institutes and Centers</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director">NIH Office of the Director</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/directors-nih-institutes-centers">Directors of NIH Institutes and Centers</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-institute-center-contact-information">NIH Institute and Center Contact Information</a></li>
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/institutes-nih" title="More About the Institutes at NIH">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul class="ic-acronymn-list">
<li><a href="https://www.cancer.gov" title="National Cancer Institute">NCI</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nei.nih.gov" title="National Eye Institute">NEI</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov" title="National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute">NHLBI</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.genome.gov" title="National Human Genome Research Institute">NHGRI</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Aging">NIA</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism">NIAAA</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases">NIAID</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niams.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases">NIAMS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nibib.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering">NIBIB</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nichd.nih.gov" title="Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development">NICHD</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nidcd.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders">NIDCD</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nidcr.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research">NIDCR</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases">NIDDK</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nida.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Drug Abuse">NIDA</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences">NIEHS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov" title="National Institute of General Medical Sciences">NIGMS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Mental Health">NIMH</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nimhd.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities">NIMHD</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke">NINDS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ninr.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Nursing Research">NINR</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov" title="National Library of Medicine">NLM</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cc.nih.gov" title="NIH Clinical Center">CC</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cit.nih.gov" title="Center for Information Technology">CIT</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.csr.nih.gov" title="Center for Scientific Review">CSR</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fic.nih.gov" title="Fogarty International Center">FIC</a></li>
<li><a href="https://ncats.nih.gov" title="National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences">NCATS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nccih.nih.gov" title="National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health">NCCIH</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* ABOUT TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-about tab-wrapper-right">
<div class="tab"><a href="/about-nih"><span>About NIH</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="/about-nih/who-we-are">Who We Are</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do">What We Do</a></li>
<li><a href="https://hr.nih.gov/jobs">Jobs at NIH</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/visitor-information">Visitor Information</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/contact-us">Contact Us</a></li>
<!--<li><a href="/about-nih/explore-nih">Explore NIH</a></li>-->
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/about-nih" title="More About NIH">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="/about-nih/who-we-are/nih-director">The NIH Director</a></li>
<li><a href="/virtual-tour">Take the Virtual Tour</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-turning-discovery-into-health">NIH&hellip;Turning Discovery Into Health<sup>&reg;</sup></a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do/impact-nih-research">Impact of NIH Research</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do/science-health-public-trust">Science, Health, and Public Trust</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="tab-bkgnd"></div><!-- For pixel rounding issue -->
</nav>
<!-- ****************** END SITE MENU ****************** -->
</div>
<div class="l-main-wrapper">
<div class="l-main" id="page-content">
<h2 class="element-invisible">You are here</h2><div class="breadcrumb"><a href="/">Home</a> » <a href="/news-events">News &amp; Events</a> » <a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters">NIH Research Matters</a></div> <div class="l-region l-region--section-header">
<div id="block-block-101" class="block block--block sectionheader block--block-101" id="block-block-101" class="block block--block sectionheader block--block-101">
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<h2><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters">NIH Research Matters</a></h2> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="l-content-wrapper">
<div class="l-content" role="main">
<a id="main-content"></a>
<div about="/news-events/nih-research-matters/blood-test-may-predict-diabetes-risk" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document" class="ds-1col node node--nih-research-matters view-mode-full node--full node--nih-research-matters--full clearfix">
<p class="publishdate"><span property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-03-28T00:00:00-04:00" class="date-display-single">March 28, 2011</span></p><div class='syndicate'><h1>Blood Test May Predict Diabetes Risk</h1><div class="media-float-right"><div class="ds-1col file file-image file-image-jpeg view-mode-floated_media clearfix">
<picture title="Photo of a physician talking with an older male patient">
<!--[if IE 9]><video style="display: none;"><![endif]-->
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-large/public/news-events/research-matters/2011/20110328-diabetes.jpg?itok=PzLngZIa&amp;timestamp=1433274424 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 960px)" />
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium/public/news-events/research-matters/2011/20110328-diabetes.jpg?itok=Eh5DiqJP&amp;timestamp=1433274424 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 800px)" />
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium-small/public/news-events/research-matters/2011/20110328-diabetes.jpg?itok=Ci7U5h3x&amp;timestamp=1433274424 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 600px)" />
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-small/public/news-events/research-matters/2011/20110328-diabetes.jpg?itok=uiMf6fUI&amp;timestamp=1433274424 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 480px)" />
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-tiny/public/news-events/research-matters/2011/20110328-diabetes.jpg?itok=mOf5oXfy&amp;timestamp=1433274424 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 0)" />
<!--[if IE 9]></video><![endif]-->
<img src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium/public/news-events/research-matters/2011/20110328-diabetes.jpg?itok=Eh5DiqJP&amp;timestamp=1433274424" alt="Photo of a physician talking with an older male patient" title="Photo of a physician talking with an older male patient" />
</picture></div>
</div><p>Scientists have identified 5 molecules in the blood that can foretell diabetes risk years before typical signs of the disease appear. The finding might help to identify at-risk people who could take steps to delay or halt the disease.</p>
<p>Diabetes is marked by unusually high levels of blood sugar. The sugar is normally converted into energy with help from the hormone insulin. Diabetes occurs when the body cant properly produce or use insulin.</p>
<p>Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, develops gradually over many years. By the time its diagnosed, the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas may already be damaged. Several factors are known to raise the risk for diabetes, including excess weight and inactivity. But a more accurate indicator, such as molecular biomarkers in the blood, could lead to more targeted interventions.</p>
<p>Drs. Thomas J. Wang and Robert E. Gerszten and colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston University analyzed blood samples gathered as part of the Framingham Offspring Study, a long-term community-based study sponsored by NIHs National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The new analysis was funded in part by NIHs National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).</p>
<p>Of more than 2,400 participants with no signs of diabetes in the early 1990s, about 200 went on to develop type 2 diabetes during the 12 years of follow-up. The original blood samples from this latter group were analyzed and compared to samples from age-matched participants who did not develop diabetes but had similar risk factors.</p>
<p>The scientists used an approach called metabolomics, which focuses on the unique mix of chemicals, called metabolites, that reactions throughout the body leave behind. These chemical fingerprints can provide clues to the body's health.</p>
<p>The researchers used new technologies to rapidly measure the levels of 61 amino acids and other metabolites in the blood samples. The results were reported in the March 20, 2011, advance online edition of <em>Nature Medicine</em>.</p>
<p>The researchers found that elevated levels of 5 amino acids — isoleucine, leucine, valine, tyrosine and phenylalanine — seemed to predict a future diagnosis of diabetes. High levels of these amino acids were detected up to 12 years before onset of disease. Further analysis showed that a combination of 3 amino acids was an even better predictor of diabetes risk. The scientists confirmed their results by analyzing blood samples from more than 300 participants in an independent study of cancer and diet.</p>
<p>Even in participants closely matched for traditional risks factors, such as obesity, these amino acid levels could help differentiate people at greatest risk. Participants with the highest levels of the 3 most predictive amino acids were 4 to 5 times more likely to develop diabetes than those with the lowest levels.</p>
<p>"These findings could provide insight into metabolic pathways that are altered very early in the process leading to diabetes," says Wang. "They also raise the possibility that, in selected individuals, these measurements could identify those at highest risk of developing diabetes so that early preventive measures could be instituted."</p>
<p>— by Vicki Contie</p>
</div><h2 class="label-above">Related Links</h2><ul class="spaced print-urls"><li><a href="http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/riskfortype2/index.htm" target="_top">Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?</a></li></ul>
</div>
<div class="lastupdated">
</div> </div>
<aside class="l-region l-region--sidebar-second masonry-container">
<div id="block-ds-extras-in-this-edition" class="block block--ds-extras box block--ds-extras-in-this-edition" id="block-ds-extras-in-this-edition" class="block block--ds-extras box block--ds-extras-in-this-edition">
<h3 class="block__title">In this Edition</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div class="view view-nih-rm-in-this-edition view-id-nih_rm_in_this_edition view-display-id-default view-dom-id-e6b1a402aa13c806e02832b35cfdf0f5">
<div class="view-content">
<div>
<p><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters/blood-test-may-predict-diabetes-risk" class="active">Blood Test May Predict Diabetes Risk</a></p> </div>
<div>
<p><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters/gene-therapy-halts-binge-drinking-rats">Gene Therapy Halts Binge Drinking in Rats</a></p> </div>
<div>
<p><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters/good-cholesterol-comes-into-focus">“Good Cholesterol” Comes Into Focus</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div> </div>
</div>
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-search" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-search" id="block-bean-research-matters-search" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-search">
<h3 class="block__title">Search NIH Research Matters</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div about="/block/research-matters---search" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
<!-- DigitalGov Search -->
<form id="directorsearch" accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://search.nih.gov/search/docs" method="get" class="search-form">
<div class="input-wrapper">
<div style="margin:0;padding:0;display:inline"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓" /></div>
<input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="nih" />
<input type="hidden" name="dc" value="678" />
<label for="query2" class="hide">Search NIH Research Matters' stories</label>
<input autocomplete="off" class="usagov-search-autocomplete form-field form-field-search" id="query2" name="query" type="text" />
<input name="commit" type="submit" value="Go" id="searchbutton" class="form-button" />
</div>
</form>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-contact-us" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-contact-us" id="block-bean-research-matters-contact-us" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-contact-us">
<h3 class="block__title">Connect with Us</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div about="/block/research-matters---contact-us" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
<p><a class="button-link" href="https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNIH/subscriber/new?topic_id=USNIH_48" onclick="window.open(this.href,'popup','width=725,height=500,left=25,top=25,location=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,status=yes');return false;">Subscribe to get NIH Research Matters by email</a></p>
<ul class="icon-list">
<li><a class="icon-link rss-monochrome" href="/nih-research-matters/feed.xml"><span class="icon"></span>RSS feed</a></li>
<li><a class="icon-link facebook-monochrome" href="https://www.facebook.com/ResearchMatters"><span class="icon"></span>Facebook</a></li>
<li><a class="icon-link email-monochrome" href="mailto:nihresearchmatters@od.nih.gov"><span class="icon"></span>Email us</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Mailing Address:</strong><br />
NIH Research Matters<br />
Bldg. 31, Rm. 5B52, MSC 2094<br />
Bethesda, MD 20892-2094</p></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-popular-stori" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-popular-stori" id="block-bean-research-matters-popular-stori" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-popular-stori">
<h3 class="block__title">Popular Stories</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div about="/block/research-matters---popular-stori" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/research-context-can-we-slow-aging">Research in Context: Can we slow aging?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/brain-changes-observed-during-pregnancy">Brain changes observed during pregnancy</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/research-context-detecting-cancer">Research in Context: Detecting cancer</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/risk-future-burden-dementia-united-states">Risk and future burden of dementia in the United States </a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/complete-wiring-map-adult-fruit-fly-brain">Complete wiring map of an adult fruit fly brain</a></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-about" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-about" id="block-bean-research-matters-about" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-about">
<h3 class="block__title">About NIH Research Matters</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div about="/block/research-matters---about" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
<p><strong>Editor:</strong> Harrison Wein, Ph.D.</p>
<p><strong>Assistant Editors:</strong> Vicki Contie and Brian Doctrow, Ph.D.</p>
<p><strong><em>NIH Research Matters </em></strong>is a weekly update of NIH research highlights reviewed by NIHs experts. It's published by the <a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison">Office of Communications and Public Liaison</a> in the <a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director">NIH Office of the Director</a>.</p>
<p>ISSN 2375-9593</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</aside>
</div>
<div class="l-connect-wrapper">
<div class="l-connect">
<h2 class="element-invisible">Connect with Us</h2>
<ul>
<li><a class="contactus-monochrome" href="/about-nih/contact-us"><span class="icon"></span>Contact Us</a></li>
<li><a class="twitter-monochrome" href="https://twitter.com/NIH"><span class="icon"></span>X</a></li>
<li><a class="facebook-monochrome" href="https://www.facebook.com/nih.gov"><span class="icon"></span>Facebook</a></li>
<li><a class="instagram-monochrome" href="https://www.instagram.com/nihgov/"><span class="icon"></span>Instagram</a></li>
<li><a class="youtube-monochrome" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/nihod"><span class="icon"></span>YouTube</a></li>
<li><a class="flickr-monochrome" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nihgov/"><span class="icon"></span>Flickr</a></li>
<li><a class="social-monochrome" href="/news-events/social-media-outreach"><span class="icon"></span>More Social Media from NIH</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="l-footer-wrapper">
<footer class="l-footer" role="contentinfo">
<h2 class="element-invisible">Footer</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="/">NIH Home</a></li>
<li><a href="/virtual-tour">Virtual Tour</a></li>
<li><a href="https://salud.nih.gov">En Español</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/visitor-information">Visitor Information</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li>
<li><a href="/privacy-policy">Privacy Policy</a></li>
<li><a href="/disclaimers">Disclaimers</a></li>
<li><a href="/accessibility">Accessibility</a></li>
<li><a href="/nih-website-archives">NIH Website Archives</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="/nondiscrimination-notice">Nondiscrimination Notice</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/freedom-information-act-office">Freedom of Information Act</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.edi.nih.gov/no-fear-act">No Fear Act</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html">HHS Vulnerability Disclosure</a></li>
<li><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov">Office of Inspector General</a></li>
<li><a class="lastTab" href="https://www.usa.gov/">USA.gov</a></li>
</ul>
<p>NIH&hellip;Turning Discovery Into Health<sup>&reg;</sup></p>
<p>National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892</p>
<p><a href="https://www.hhs.gov">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</a></p>
</footer>
</div>
<div class="back-to-top"><a href="#"><span class="icon-arrow-up"></span><span class="text">Back to Top</span></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_7Ukqb3ierdBEL0eowfOKzTkNu-Le97OPm-UqTS5NENU.js"></script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_E9yUYWK8EMydR0HMIp2PahVxPAClXyH0Cnh782A15UM.js"></script>
</body>
</html>