Serum α-Hydroxybutyrate: A Candidate Marker of Insulin Resistance Is Associated with Deterioration in Anthropometric Measurements in Individuals with Low Diabetes Risk.

Background: α-Hydroxybutyrate (α-HB) is a marker of insulin resistance (IR) and lipid oxidation, both of which precede the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. We aimed to analyze the relation of α-HB levels with anthropometric measurements in individuals without metabolic risk factors.

Methods: A total of 82 nonobese individuals [body mass index (BMI) <30 kg/m2] without an accompanying chronic disorder were enrolled into the study. The entire cohort of participants underwent physical examination. Biochemical and hormonal parameters were analyzed. The BMI was calculated as weight/height2 (kg/m2). An ELISA method was used to analyze serum α-HB level. The relation of variables was analyzed by correlation analysis.

Results: The mean age, BMI, body fat ratio, and waist/hip ratio of participants were 36 (9) years, 24.9 (2.2), 39.2 (3.9), and 0.82 (0.06), respectively. The mean fasting glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, and LDL levels were 90.7 (5.1) mg/dL, 9.8 (1.5) IU/mL, 2.2 (0.3), 193.2 (32.6) mg/dL, 119.3 (60.3) mg/dL, 54.6 (12.2) mg/dL, and 114.2 (30.4) mg/dL, respectively. Serum α-HB level was significantly correlated with age, BMI, body fat ratio, waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, HDL, total cholesterol, and triglyceride.

Conclusions: Serum α-HB, a strong marker of insulin resistance, is well correlated with deterioration of anthropometric parameters such as an increase in BMI and body fat distribution in patients with low diabetes risk.