Race and sex differences in small-molecule metabolites and metabolic hormones in overweight and obese adults

OMICS. 2013 Dec;17(12):627-35. doi: 10.1089/omi.2013.0031. Epub 2013 Oct 11.

Abstract

In overweight/obese individuals, cardiometabolic risk factors differ by race and sex categories. Small-molecule metabolites and metabolic hormone levels might also differ across these categories and contribute to risk factor heterogeneity. To explore this possibility, we performed a cross-sectional analysis of fasting plasma levels of 69 small-molecule metabolites and 13 metabolic hormones in 500 overweight/obese adults who participated in the Weight Loss Maintenance trial. Principal-components analysis (PCA) was used for reduction of metabolite data. Race and sex-stratified comparisons of metabolite factors and metabolic hormones were performed. African Americans represented 37.4% of the study participants, and females 63.0%. Of thirteen metabolite factors identified, three differed by race and sex: levels of factor 3 (branched-chain amino acids and related metabolites, p<0.0001), factor 6 (long-chain acylcarnitines, p<0.01), and factor 2 (medium-chain dicarboxylated acylcarnitines, p<0.0001) were higher in males vs. females; factor 6 levels were higher in Caucasians vs. African Americans (p<0.0001). Significant differences were also observed in hormones regulating body weight homeostasis. Among overweight/obese adults, there are significant race and sex differences in small-molecule metabolites and metabolic hormones; these differences may contribute to risk factor heterogeneity across race and sex subgroups and should be considered in future investigations with circulating metabolites and metabolic hormones.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / blood
  • Black or African American
  • Carnitine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Carnitine / blood
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Hormones / blood*
  • Humans
  • Ketones / blood
  • Male
  • Metabolome
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / blood*
  • Obesity / ethnology
  • Overweight / blood
  • Overweight / ethnology
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Sex Characteristics
  • White People

Substances

  • Amino Acids, Branched-Chain
  • Hormones
  • Ketones
  • acylcarnitine
  • Carnitine