Type 2 diabetes (T2D) as a common type of diabetes mellitus is influenced by various factors such as genetics and environment. One of the most important risk factors for the development of T2D is insulin resistance (IR), the underlying mechanisms of which include impaired free fatty acid (FFA) metabolism and inflammation. Chronically elevated levels of plasma free fatty acids appear to disrupt normal glucose homeostasis, while increased levels of a key inflammatory marker, C-reactive protein (CRP), lead to endothelial dysfunction and other T2D complications. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between plasma FFA concentration and CRP as an inflammatory marker in patients with diabetes. The research included 82 participants, 42 of whom were patients with type 2 diabetes and 40 healthy individuals as a control group, aged 40 to 65 years. Clinical and biochemical characteristics including body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose levels, HbA1c, insulin, CRP and lipid profile were determined using standard clinical methods, while the levels of individual FFAs were measured by gas chromatography. The results showed a positive correlation between myristic acid (C14:0) and CRP levels, as well as a negative association of docosapentaenoic acid (C22:5) with CRP levels (p<0.05) in control subjects. In the group of diabetics, a negative correlation of gamma-linolenic acid (C18:3) with CRP levels was observed (p<0.001). These findings suggest that concentrations of individual free fatty acids, with different chain lengths and degrees of saturation, such as C14:0 and C18:3, can be used as potential markers of low-grade inflammation and disease prognosis in T2D patients.

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Šaćira Mandal, "Free fatty acids and inflammation as risk factors of type 2 diabetes", RAD Conf. Proc., vol. 9, 2025, pp. 31 - 36; http://doi.org/10.21175/RadProc.2025.06