ASN's Mission

To create a world without kidney diseases, the ASN Alliance for Kidney Health elevates care by educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.

learn more

Contact ASN

1401 H St, NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20005

email@asn-online.org

202-640-4660

The Latest on X

Kidney Week

Please note that you are viewing an archived section from 2019 and some content may be unavailable. To unlock all content for 2019, please visit the archives.

Abstract: SA-PO802

High Plasma Branched-Chain Amino Acids Are Associated with Higher Risk of Post-Transplant Diabetes Mellitus in Renal Transplant Recipients

Session Information

Category: Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism

  • 1300 Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism

Authors

  • Osté, Maryse CJ, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
  • Flores-Guerrero, Jose L., University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
  • Gruppen, Dineke, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
  • Kieneker, Lyanne M., University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
  • Connelly, Margery, LabCorp, Morrisville, North Carolina, United States
  • Otvos, James D., LabCorp, Morrisville, North Carolina, United States
  • Dullaart, Robin, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
  • Bakker, Stephan J.L., University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
Background

Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a serious complication in renal transplant recipients (RTR). Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and may predict new onset diabetes in the general population. Here, we prospectively determined the association of plasma BCAAs which comprise the amino acids valine, leucine, and isoleucine, with PTDM.

Methods

Adult RTR (≥ 18 y) recruited between November 2008 and May 2011 with a functioning graft for ≥1 year were eligible. Plasma BCAAs were measured in 518 RTR using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We excluded RTR with a history of diabetes, leaving 368 non-diabetic RTR eligible for analyses. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to assess the association of BCAAs with the development of PTDM.

Results

In 368 non-diabetic RTR (mean±SD age: 52.7±13.0 y, 53.7% men), fasting plasma BCAA was 377.6±82.5 µM. During median follow-up of 5.3 (IQR, 4.2-6.0) y, 38 (9.8%) RTR developed PTDM. RTR developed PTDM more frequently in the highest tertile of total BCAA (17.3%) when compared to the lowest two tertiles (8.0%; p=0.02). Total BCAAs were associated with a higher risk of developing PTDM (HR: 1.42, 95% CI 1.08-1.89) per SD change (p=0.01), independent of age and sex. Adjustment for other potential confounders did not significantly change these associations.

Conclusion

High concentrations of plasma BCAAs are associated with developing PTDM in RTR.