Glycated albumin is associated with body mass index in euglycemic adults but is not predictive of postprandial blood glucose response.

BACKGROUND: The level of glycated albumin in circulation is an indicator of blood glucose control over the preceding 2 weeks. It is not known if the level of glycated albumin in circulation relates to an individual's postprandial blood glucose response.

METHODS: Eighty-four euglycemic young adults (21.1 [3.9] years, BMI 23.9 [4.0] kg/m2 ) primarily of European descent underwent a fasted meal test of 50 g carbohydrate from white bread. Capillary blood was then sampled at regular intervals over 2 hours. Correlations were sought between glycated albumin, fasted and 2-hour post-load blood glucose measurements, incremental area under the blood glucose curve, glycemic range, body mass index (BMI), and C-reactive protein (CRP).

RESULTS: When adjusted for age and sex, glycated albumin was inversely correlated with BMI (r=-.25, P=.027). No significant correlations existed for glycated albumin and postprandial markers of blood glucose control. BMI and CRP values correlate in this population (r=.30, P=.009).

CONCLUSIONS: Glycated albumin in circulation is not related to postprandial blood glucose response in young euglycemic adults. Glycated albumin is lower in euglycemic adults with higher BMI values. Contrary to research with older adults or those with impaired glucose control, glycated albumin did not correlate to CRP.