Carotid Bodies:Use of Chemosensitivity as a Biomarker in Prediabetes

The carotid bodies (CBs) play a role as metabolic sensors being deeply involved in the genesis of dysmetabolic states. CB activity was shown to be increased in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes animal models and also in prediabetic patients. Furthermore, abolishment of CB activity, via carotid sinus nerve surgical resection, both prevents and reverses pathological metabolic disease features in animal models. Herein, we review in a concise manner the pathways linking CB chemoreceptor dysfunction to the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases and describe the methods available to evaluate CB chemosensitivity, postulated to be directly related to metabolic dysfunction. Moreover, we describe the biomarkers used to diagnose prediabetes and introduce the CB, as a novel biomarker for its early screening. A final section is devoted to debate the applications of CB chemosensitivity evaluation, not only as a biomarker for early screening of prediabetes but also to identify subgroups of patients that will benefit from therapeutics directed to modulate CB activity.