Type 2 diabetes is a common metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. The metabolism of amino acids is also affected in diabetes, particularly through gluconeogenesis and increased catabolism of branched-chain amino acids. The aminoacylase 1 (ACY-1) enzyme plays a crucial role in the hydrolysis of N-acetylated amino acids, leading to the release of free amino acids. In this study, we aimed to investigate the circulating level of ACY-1 in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its correlation with glycemic factors.

A total of 30 subjects with T2DM, 30 pre-diabetic individuals, and 30 control subjects were enrolled in the current study. Serum levels of ACY-1 and insulin were measured using ELISA method. Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), 2-hour Postprandial (2hPP) glucose, HbA1c, urea, and creatinine levels were measured using an auto-analyzer. Insulin resistance was calculated using HOMA-IR formula.

We found elevated levels of serum ACY-1 in individuals with diabetes compared to those with pre-diabetes (P = 0.04) and the control group (P < 0.0001). Additionally, the pre-diabetes group exhibited significantly higher levels of ACY-1 than control group (P = 0.0093). Furthermore, a correlation was observed between ACY-1 and glycemic parameters, including insulin (R=-0.263, P = 0.014), FBS (R = 0.453, P = 0.00001), and HbA1c (R = 0.382, P = 0.016), which may have clinical significance.

Patients with T2DM and individuals with pre-diabetes exhibit elevated serum levels of the aminoacylase-1 enzyme, which correlate with hyperglycemic factors such as FBS, HbA1c, and insulin. This finding underscores the significance of ACY-1 in the pathogenesis and progression of type 2 diabetes.