Genes associated with free fatty acid levels and dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetes patients

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a complex metabolic disorder associated with disturbances not only in carbohydrates and proteins but also with impairment of lipid metabolism. It is largely influenced by complex interactions of environmental and genetic factors, or both. High prevalence and increasing number of patients with T2D in the world, represent constant challenge for better elucidation of pathophysiological processes that lead to development of disease. In this paper, I have tried to summarize the results of my research and new findings from recent analyses of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) which helped us in the identification of common and rare genetic variants associated with insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidemia, Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and Type 2 diabetes. Many variants of certain genes are directly involved in glucose metabolism; however, functional and additional studies are suggested in order to be able to understand the contribution of other variants associated with impaired lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. New technologies such as metabolomics, proteomics, genomics, a more recently, lipidomics clearly point out directions in identification and detection of good/best biological gene candidates involved in fatty acid and lipoprotein metabolism. Mutational sequencing for these genes i.e. genetic regions associated with T2D, obesity, dyslipidemia and IR, could serve as a protective measure for not only insulin sensitivity but also, insulin secretion, obesity and other glycemic traits.