Metabolomics in the Prediction and Early Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Advances and Applications.

Early detection and intervention can prevent the onset and progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, achieving early diagnosis and accurate prediction remains challenging. Metabolomics, a potent diagnostic tool in systems biology, makes it possible to systematically identify important biomarkers linked to type 2 diabetes, which provides vital proof for risk assessment and early diagnosis. This review summarizes research advances in metabolomics for T2DM prediction and early detection since 2010 by incorporating both the reported prospective and cross-sectional metabolic evidence, with a focus on putative biomarkers and their metabolic characteristics identified across diverse biological samples. Furthermore, it highlights the unique advantages of metabolomics in T2DM early warning, aiming to offer novel insights for future research on personalized prevention and early diagnostic strategies.