Different lipid profiles, insulin sensitivity, and insulin resistance among Han, Uygur, and Kazak men with normal glucose tolerance in Xinjiang, China

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the differences in clinical parameters among Han, Uygur, and Kazak men with normal glucose tolerance. METHODS: Participants’ data from the China National Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Study pertaining to Han, Uygur, and Kazak men from the Xinjiang province were used (n = 930). Pearson’s correlation was used to examine the relationship between HOMA-IR, Matsuda Index, and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: HOMA-IR of Han men was significantly higher than in Uygurs and Kazaks (P < 0.001). The Matsuda Index of Kazaks was significantly higher than that of Hans and Uygurs (P < 0.001). While Kazaks had the highest BMI, WC, SBP, and DBP; they also had the highest HDL-C and lowest TG (P < 0.001). TG of Uygurs was significantly higher than that of Hans and Kazaks (P < 0.001). In Hans and Kazaks, the TG/HDL-C ratio increased with HOMA-IR quartiles; there was no association in Uygurs. In Hans and Kazaks, the TG/HDL-C ratio decreased with Matsuda index quartiles; there was no association in Uygurs. Multivariate linear regression showed that HOMA-IR was independently associated with ethnicity, BMI and TG/HDL-C ratio (P < 0.01), while Matsuda index was independently associated with ethnicity, BMI, LDL-C levels (P < 0.001) and TG/HDL-C ratio (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, Han, Uygur, and Kazak men had different lipid profiles, BMI, and WC. Han men had the highest insulin resistance while Kazak men had the highest insulin sensitivity.