(P09-16-26) Associations of Plasma Acylcarnitines With Glucose Tolerance and Body Composition in Adults With Cystic Fibrosis

Saturday, July 25, 2026

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM ET

Location: Poster Board F-16

Presenting Author(s)

SO

Su Yeon Oh, MS

PhD Candidate
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Co-Author(s)

Benjamin A. Cousineau, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow
Emory University
Smyrna, Georgia, United States
MB

Moriah P. Bellissimo, PhD, RD

Postdoctoral Fellow
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Richmond, Virginia, United States
KE

Kirk Easley

Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, United States
VT

Vin Tangpricha

Emory University, United States
WH

William R. Hunt

Emory University School of Medicine, United States
AS

Arlene Stecenko

Emory University School of Medicine, United States
NM

Nael McCarty

Emory University, United States
TD

Tanicia Daley

Emory University School of Medicine, United States
TZ

Thomas R. Ziegler, MD

Professor of Medicine
Emory University
Lilburn, Georgia, United States
JC

Joshua Chandler

Emory University, United States
JA

Jessica A. Alvarez, PhD, RD

Assistant Professor of Medicine
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Disclosure(s):

Moriah P. Bellissimo, PhD, RD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Thomas R. Ziegler, MD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Objectives: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by chronic inflammation, infection, and nutrient malabsorption. CF-related diabetes (CFRD) is a major CF co-morbidity. Acylcarnitines (ACs) are key intermediates in mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation; however, AC profiles and their associations with glucose tolerance and body composition have not been studied in adults with CF. We compared plasma AC profiles across CF groups stratified by glucose tolerance and examined associations with body composition.

Methods: Fasted plasma samples were collected from 51 clinically stable adults (24 non-CF and 27 CF) at Emory University. CF participants were categorized by glucose tolerance: normal glucose tolerance group (NGT), CF-related prediabetes (CFRpD), and CFRD. Plasma AC concentrations, lipids, and lipid-related metabolites were measured quantitatively using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and classified as short-chain (C2-C5), medium-chain (C6-C12), long-chain (C14-C20). Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Statistical analyses were performed using R.

Results: Significant differences in 2-hour blood glucose and fasting C-peptide levels (p < 0.01) were observed across groups. Short-chain AC C5 levels, derived from branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism, was significantly lower in CFRD compared to CF-NGT (p=0.03), suggesting altered BCAA metabolism. Long-chain AC C16 levels were higher in CF-NGT than controls (p=0.04). Bile acid-related metabolites, including glycocholic acid and glycochenodeoxycholic acid, were elevated across all CF groups compared to controls (p < 0.05, whereas choline (p=0.01) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) 18:0 (p=0.006) were lower in CFRD. Spearman correlation analyses showed that C5 was positively correlated with lean mass, lean mass index (LMI), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT), whereas C16 was additionally correlated with BMI.

Conclusions: AC and lipid profiles differed by glucose tolerance in adults with CF. Reduced C5 in CFRD and associations between ACs and body composition suggest metabolic alterations related to glucose dysregulation in CF.

Funding Sources: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and National Institutes of Health