Scientists identify hidden blood markers to explain diabetes risks in India

By Admin

06 Nov, 2025

Introduction
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists in India have identified hidden blood markers that could reveal why diabetes progresses differently among Indian patients. This pioneering study offers hope for early detection of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and paves the way for more personalised and effective treatments.

The Research Collaboration
The study, published in the Journal of Proteome Research in July 2025, was led by Prof. Pramod Wangikar from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), along with Dr. Rakesh Kumar Sahay and Dr. Manisha Sahay from Osmania Medical College. The research team also included experts from Clarity Bio Systems India, Pune. Together, they explored how biochemical patterns in the blood could help identify patients at higher risk of kidney complications caused by diabetes.

How the Study Was Conducted
To gain a deeper understanding of diabetes progression, the researchers used metabolomics a powerful approach that studies small molecules in the blood known as metabolites. These molecules provide real-time insights into the body’s metabolic activity. The team collected whole blood samples from 52 volunteers at Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad, between June 2021 and July 2022.

The participants included 15 healthy controls, 23 patients with type 2 diabetes, and 14 patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Using advanced tools such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the scientists analysed nearly 300 metabolites simultaneously.

Key Discoveries
The study revealed 26 metabolites that were significantly different between diabetic patients and healthy individuals. While some findings were expected like changes in glucose, cholesterol, and 1,5-anhydroglucitol (a short-term marker of blood sugar) others were entirely new. Compounds such as valerobetaine, ribothymidine, and fructosyl-pyroglutamate had not previously been linked to diabetes.

“This suggests that diabetes is a much broader metabolic disorder beyond just glucose dysregulation,” said Prof. Wangikar, highlighting the complexity of the disease.

Why This Study Matters for India
Most previous metabolomics research has been conducted on European or East Asian populations, whose genetic and lifestyle factors differ from those in India. This study is crucial because it identifies India-specific biochemical markers, helping bridge a major gap in global diabetes research. The findings emphasize the importance of developing localized diagnostic tools tailored to Indian patients.

The Road Ahead
While the current study involved a relatively small sample size, the researchers plan to expand it to include a larger population of diabetic patients with various complications. Their goal is to create simple, affordable clinical tests that can diagnose diabetes early and predict the risk of severe complications like kidney disease.

In the long run, such advancements could revolutionize personalised healthcare, allowing doctors to tailor treatments based on an individual’s unique metabolic profile.

Conclusion
This pioneering study marks a major step forward in understanding diabetes in the Indian context. By uncovering hidden blood markers, scientists are not only offering new tools for early detection but also opening doors to customised, patient-specific treatments. As research continues, India could soon lead the way in transforming diabetes management through science and precision medicine.