TCF7L2 Genetic Variants Do Not Influence Insulin Sensitivity or Secretion Indices in Autoantibody-Positive Individuals at Risk for Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to test whether type 2 diabetes (T2D)-associated TCF7L2 genetic variants affect insulin sensitivity or secretion in autoantibody-positive relatives at risk for type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Research design and methods: We studied autoantibody-positive TrialNet Pathway to Prevention study participants (N = 1,061) (mean age 16.3 years) with TCF7L2 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) information and baseline oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to calculate indices of insulin sensitivity and secretion. With Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, P values < 0.0086 were considered statistically significant.

Results: None, one, and two T2D-linked TCF7L2 alleles were present in 48.1%, 43.9%, and 8.0% of the participants, respectively. Insulin sensitivity (as reflected by 1/fasting insulin [1/IF]) decreased with increasing BMI z score and was lower in Hispanics. Insulin secretion (as measured by 30-min C-peptide index) positively correlated with age and BMI z score. Oral disposition index was negatively correlated with age, BMI z score, and Hispanic ethnicity. None of the indices were associated with TCF7L2 SNPs. In multivariable analysis models with age, BMI z score, ethnicity, sex, and TCF7L2 alleles as independent variables, C-peptide index increased with age, while BMI z score was associated with higher insulin secretion (C-peptide index), lower insulin sensitivity (1/IF), and lower disposition index; there was no significant effect of TCF7L2 SNPs on any of these indices. When restricting the analyses to participants with a normal OGTT (n = 743; 70%), the results were similar.

Conclusions: In nondiabetic autoantibody-positive individuals, TCF7L2 SNPs were not related to insulin sensitivity or secretion indices after accounting for BMI z score, age, sex, and ethnicity.