Serum Bile Acid Profiles in Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults and Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Background. Impaired bile acid (BA) metabolism has been associated with the progression of type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the contribution of BAs to the pathogenesis of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) remains unclear. This study was aimed at investigating the association of serum BAs with different diabetes types and analyzing its correlation with main clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods. Patients with LADA, patients with T2D, and healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Serum BA profiles and inflammatory cytokines were measured. The correlation of BA species with different indicators was assessed by Spearman's correlation method. Results. Patients with diabetes (LADA and T2D) had significantly higher serum BAs, especially conjugated BAs, compared with those in HCs. Nevertheless, serum BA profiles had no special role in the progression of LADA, because no significant differences in BAs were observed between LADA and T2D patients. Interestingly, HbA1c levels and HOMA-beta were found to be correlated with a series of BA species. Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) were all positively associated with several BA species, especially the conjugated secondary BAs. Conclusion. Serum BAs regulate glucose homeostasis, but have no special value in the pathogenesis of LADA patients. Our study adds further information about the potential value of serum BAs in different types of diabetes.