Association between circulating levels of unsaturated fatty acids and risk for prediabetes in the NHANES 2003-2004 and 2011-2012

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the association between serum levels of common and uncommon unsaturated fatty acids and prediabetes risk.

Methods: Data were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2003-2004 and 2011-2012. Weighted proportional and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association of serum PUFAs and MUFAs with prediabetes risk after adjusting for potential confounders.

Results: A total of 3575 individuals were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of PUFAs EPA (20:5 n3) and GLA (18:3 n6) were associated with increased prediabetes risk (EPA (20:5 n3): OR = 1.878, 95% CI: 1.177-2.996, P_trend = 0.002; GLA (18:3 n6): 1.702, 95% CI: 1.140-2.541, P_trend = 0.016). The MUFAs PA (16:1 n7) and EA (20:1 n9) were associated with the risk of prediabetes (OR in quintile5: PA (16:1 n7): 1.780, 95% CI: 1.056-3.001, P_trend = 0.003; EA (20:1 n9): 0.587, 95% CI: 0.347-0.994, P_trend = 0.010). Moreover, nonlinear analysis revealed that serum levels of EPA (20:5 n3) and EA (20:1 n-9) were nonlinearly associated with prediabetes risk.

Conclusion: Some serum n-3 PUFAs are positively associated with prediabetes, several serum n-6 PUFAs are inversely associated with prediabetes. Regulating individual serum USFA levels may help prevent prediabetes, thereby providing evidence for clinical and nutritional practices.

Keywords: Monounsaturated fatty acids; Polyunsaturated fatty acids; Prediabetes; Risk factor; Unsaturated fatty acids.