Biomarkers of Glycolysis and the Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle in Youth with and without Obesity
Authors' conclusion
The metabolomic analysis revealed distinct characteristics between adolescents with and without obesity, thus demonstrating lower rates of aerobic glucose utilization in youth with obesity, which may contribute to the development of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Study context
- Population
- Adolescents and young adults aged 15–24 years; fasting plasma glucose, insulin and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates, liver proton-density fat fraction (PDFF) and 3-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
- Participants
- 48 adolescents
- Exposure
- Youth with obesity vs youth without obesity
- With obesityn = 29
- Without obesityn = 19reference
- Outcome
- Fasting plasma glycolysis and TCA cycle biomarkers
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- With obesity vs Without obesity: P = 0.015
- With obesity vs Without obesity: P = 0.096
- With obesity vs Without obesity: P = 0.022
- With obesity vs Without obesity: P = 0.009
- With obesity vs Without obesity: P = 0.03
- With obesity vs Without obesity: P = 0.012
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Correlation of liver PDFF with lactate
- PDFF directly correlated with lactate (r, p = 0.027)
- r = 0.46
Adipose tissue insulin resistance and glycolysis biomarkers
- Adipose tissue insulin resistance was not associated with biomarkers of glycolysis
Original publication
Biomarkers of Glycolysis and the Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle in Youth with and without Obesity. Horm Res Paediatr. Published 18 December 2025. doi:10.
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