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ABSTRACT Introduction Data suggest malfunctioning mitochondria reduce oxidation and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, disrupting insulin signalling. Cytochrome c (CC), acylcarnitine (AC) and citrate synthase (CS) are essential components of the mitochondria machinery and can be used as reliable biomarkers of mitochondrial dysfunction. This study aimed to determine whether mitochondrial biomarkers (AC, CS and CC) are altered in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to examine the association between these biomarkers and insulin resistance. Methodology A cross‐sectional observational study that recruited 170 participants (88 with T2DM and 82 without DM) was conducted. Blood samples were collected from the recruits and analysed for levels of fasting glucose (FBG), AC, CS, CC, insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and magnesium. Blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric characteristics of participants were also taken. Appropriate formulas were used to determine %body fat, body mass index (BMI), waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR), the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) and insulin sensitivity (HOMA‐β). Results Patients with T2DM had higher levels of CC, %body fat, FBG, TG, HbA1c, BMI and HOMA‐IR than controls (p

Abstract Introduction Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the common chronic metabolic disorders in Africa and elsewhere. Accumulation of lipids in the body may be due to an imbalance in the metabolism of lipids, glucose and proteins. Ceramides are a sphingolipid class of lipids that are biologically active and vital in the production of more complex lipids. Circulating ceramides are thought to have a role in the development of obesity‐related IR, although the precise involvement remains unclear. Aim To investigate the impact of circulating ceramide on IR and body adiposity in people with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methodology The study was observational and cross‐sectional. There were a total of 84 volunteers with T2DM and 75 nondiabetics (control). The participants' ages, body mass indexes (BMI), waist circumferences, and blood pressure (BP) were among the clinical parameters assessed. Ceramide levels, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipids, basal insulin levels and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were also measured. Additionally, the homeostatic model assessment for IR (HOMA‐IR) and beta cell function (HOMA‐β) were computed. Results T2DM and control participants had different mean values for anthropometric parameters, BP, FPG, HbA1c, lipids, insulin, HOMA‐IR, HOMA‐β and ceramide levels (p