Fasting Serum Ferritin and Non-HDL Cholesterol Independently Predict Plasma Glucose Level 120 minutes After Glucose Loading in an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test in Physiologically Healthy Young Japanese Men

Abstract

Objective: This study intended to clarify whether serum ferritin levels are a marker for the early detection of glucose intolerance and diabetes in young adults.
Methods: 382 young healthy Japanese individuals aged 22-29 years underwent oral glucose tolerance test （OGTT）. We analyzed the relationship between serum ferritin levels and insulin secretion ability, insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism markers, and complete blood count.
Results: Among 233 men, ferritin showed a positive correlation with age, HOMA-β, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, Hb, platelet count, and 120-minute post-load plasma glucose and insulin. Ferritin showed a negative correlation with Matsuda and disposition indices. The multivariate analysis revealed that fasting plasma glucose, ferritin, and non- HDL-C are independent predictors of the 120-minute post-load plasma glucose in young men. Among 149 women, ferritin showed a positive correlation with Hb and CRP, and a negative correlation with HbA1c and HDL-C. Men were divided into groups based on ferritin levels above or below the average of 97.8 ng/mL; women were similarly divided at 24.7 ng/mL. Men with higher levels of ferritin showed decreased levels of Matsuda index and disposition index and increased insulin levels at 60 minutes compared to men with lower levels of ferritin. Women with higher ferritin levels showed lower HbA1c, but higher Hb than those with lower ferritin levels.
Conclusion: Among healthy young Japanese men, serum ferritin levels and non-HDL-C independently predict prolonged glucose elevation in the OGTT.