The levels of dhS1P and dhS1P/dhSph ratio were indeed elevated before the changes of blood glucose and insulin levels in the subjects who developed T2DM after an average of 4.2-year follow-up, suggesting that these SphK-related sphingolipids could serve as a potential biomarker for early prediction of T2DM. The gene discussed is SPHK1; the disease is type 2 diabetes mellitus.