Investigation of 1H nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry to screen metabolic syndrome and diabetes

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the abilities of H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) transverse relaxation constant time (T-2) and longitudinal relaxation constant time (T-1) to screen people at the risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Human blood samples were collected for NMR detection and biochemical examinations. Bivariate correlations, categorical analyses were performed to explore the relationship between NMR relaxation time and metabolic biomarkers. Results show that NMR relaxation time of human serum correlated well with some biomarkers associated with diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Statistically significant differences in NMR relaxation time between subjects with normal and poor metabolic health were observed. NMR relaxation time, especially T-2, can be used to screen people at risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome.