Modest weight loss does not increase plasma adiponectin levels: effects of weight loss on C-reactive protein and DNA damage

Serum adiponectin and cortisol levels are not affected by studied ADIPOQ gene variants: Tehran lipid and glucose study

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a major public health concern in developed and even developing countries worldwide. Adiponectin is a protein secreted by adipose tissue that modulates many metabolic processes and plays a vital role in obesity. This study aimed to determine the association of four variants of the ADIPOQ gene with serum adiponectin, cortisol levels and obesity status.

METHODS

This case-control study was performed on 164 obese individuals compared by 156 control from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS). Standard procedures obtained anthropometric measures and metabolic parameters. Cortisol and adiponectin levels were measured by ELISA method. rs1501299, rs266729, rs17300539, and rs17366743 on the ADIPOQ gene were genotyped using the PCR-RFLP. The correlation between adiponectin gene SNPs and obesity were calculated by Additive, dominant, and recessive genetic models. Pearson's or Spearman's found correlations between adiponectin levels and metabolic and anthropometric variables. Data were analyzed using SPSS software Version 20.

RESULTS

Adiponectin and cortisol levels were significantly lower in obese subjects compared to the control group (p < 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between serum adiponectin level and BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio, hip circumference (HC), Fasting blood sugar (FBS) Triglyceride (TG), Total cholesterol (TC), Systolic blood pressure (SBP), Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r = - 0.147, r = - 0.324, r = 0.371, r = - 0.179, r = - 0.299, r = - 0.277, r = - 0.041, r = - 0.134, and r = - 0.149, respectively). A positive correlation was found between adiponectin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (r = 0.29), but no significant correlations were found between adiponectin and Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) and cortisol. ADIPOQ variant rs1501299 was significantly associated with cortisol levels in subjects with BMI ≥ 25 (P-value =0.039).

CONCLUSIONS

Adiponectin and cortisol levels were associated with obesity. No ADIPOQ gene variants and haplotypes were associated with cortisol, Adiponectin, and obesity.

Intensive lifestyle modification program on weight loss and metabolic syndrome risk reduction among obese women in rural areas of Thailand

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of the intensive lifestyle modification program on weight and metabolic syndrome risk reduction in rural obese women who have no underlying non-communicable diseases in Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

A randomized controlled trial was conducted. In total, 60 healthy obese women aged 30-50 years were recruited and randomly assigned to either the intervention (n=30) or control (n=30) group after health screening. Tailored nutritional counseling, health education and exercise training were included in the lifestyle modification program. Behavioral modification techniques were also incorporated. The intervention was conducted weekly for the first eight weeks, then biweekly until week 16.

Findings

The student’s t-test was used to compare mean difference between groups. The total weight loss in the intervention group (n=29) was significantly higher, 7.6±2.9 kg, compared with the control group (n=30) who lost 0.7±1.4 kg (p<0.001). The intervention group lost weight 10.2 percent from baseline which was significantly higher than that in the control group (p<0.001). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures, fasting blood sugar, and waist circumference were significantly improved. Triglyceride levels slightly improved while high density lipoprotein cholesterol was slightly lowered. The intervention group showed a statistical reduction in abnormal components of metabolic syndrome compared with the control group, with the relative risk=0.24, 95% confidence interval=0.072-0.791, and p=0.018.

Originality/value

Compatibility of the program activities conducted by a health professional who had achieved healthy weight loss and accepted as a role model was a key to achieving effective weight loss and metabolic syndrome risk reduction in obese women in rural areas. The program should be integrated into the conventional practice of health care centers.

Macronutrient composition and increased physical activity modulate plasma adipokines and appetite hormones during a weight loss intervention

BACKGROUND

We have shown previously that in overweight premenopausal women, changes in macronutrient composition and increasing the number of steps walked per day favorably affect body composition and plasma lipid profiles. As a follow-up, we evaluated the effect of moderate carbohydrate intake and increased physical activity on inflammation and regulation of appetite.

METHODS

Seventy premenopausal women with a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 37 kg/m(2) participated in a 10-week weight loss intervention program consisting of the following macronutrient energy distribution: 40% carbohydrate, 30% fat, and 30% protein, in addition to a progressive increase in the number of steps taken per day. Plasma adiponectin, intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), leptin, and ghrelin levels were assessed at baseline and after 10 weeks.

RESULTS

Subjects reduced body weight by 4.5%, waist circumference (WC) by 6.4%, and trunk fat by 4.6%. Plasma insulin and insulin resistance assessed by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) were reduced after 10 weeks (p < 0.01). Plasma adiponectin was increased by 11% (p < 0.05), and ICAM-1 levels were decreased (p < 0.05) after 10 weeks. A negative correlation was found between changes in insulin and changes in adiponectin between baseline and 10 weeks (r = -0.397, p < 0.01), indicating a role of adiponectin in increasing insulin sensitivity. In addition, plasma ghrelin levels were increased by 17% (p < 0.001), indicating a signal for increased appetite associated with weight loss.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies indicate that weight loss interventions involving moderate changes in dietary carbohydrate and increases in physical activity favorably affect insulin sensitivity and decrease inflammation.

Weight loss increased serum adiponectin but decreased lipid levels in obese subjects whose body mass index was lower than 30 kg/m²

We hypothesized that weight loss in obese subjects may affect adipokine levels, such as adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α. This study investigated the effects of an 8-week weight-control program on serum adiponectin, TNF-α, and blood lipid level profiles in obese subjects. Twenty obese subjects with a body mass index (BMI) higher than 25 kg/m² were recruited for this weight loss program that used dietetic control and aerobic exercise training. A total of 3 obese men and 11 obese women (mean age, 40.3 ± 10.8 years; BMI, 30.0 ± 3.4 kg/m²) finished the program. Anthropometric and biochemical characteristics in subjects before and after the program were determined. The results showed that subjects' body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels significantly (P < .05) decreased during the program. Further analysis showed a negative correlation between delta adiponectin and delta TNF-α, triacylglycerol, and systolic blood pressure in obese subjects. Subgroup analysis showed that obese subjects whose original BMI was less than 30 kg/m² had significantly increased serum adiponectin levels, and more than 3% weight reduction markedly improved blood lipids and body fat profiles during the program. Our findings suggest that weight reduction through an 8-week weight loss program may have anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic effects via increased serum adiponectin levels and improvements in blood lipid profiles and systolic blood pressure.

Impaired ex vivo leukotriene B4 production characterizes the metabolic syndrome and is improved after weight reduction

CONTEXT

Neutrophil (polymorphonuclear neutrophil) production of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) may be associated with alterations in immune and inflammatory function that characterize the metabolic syndrome (MetS).

OBJECTIVE

We investigated whether polymorphonuclear neutrophil production of LTB(4) and its metabolites 20-hydroxy-LTB4 (20-OH-LTB4) and 20-carboxyl-LTB4 were altered in subjects with features of the MetS before and after weight reduction.

DESIGN, SETTING, PATIENTS, AND INTERVENTION

In a case-controlled comparison, men and postmenopausal women with features of the MetS were matched with controls. Subjects with MetS were then matched and randomly assigned to either a 12-wk weight reduction study followed by 4-wk weight stabilization or 16-wk weight maintenance.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Measurements were performed at baseline and at the end of the 16-wk period. Stimulated neutrophil LTB4 and its metabolites were measured by HPLC.

RESULTS

In the case-controlled study, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting triglycerides, and glucose were all significantly increased in subjects with features of the MetS (P < 0.05). Production of LTB4 and 20-OH-LTB4 was significantly lower compared with controls (P < 0.005). The weight loss intervention resulted in a 4.6-kg reduction in body weight and 6.6-cm decrease in waist circumference relative to controls and a significant increase in LTB4 and 20-OH-LTB4.

CONCLUSIONS

Subjects with features of the MetS have lower stimulated LTB4, which is not due to increased metabolism of LTB4. Weight reduction restored the production of neutrophil LTB4, suggesting that in addition to modifying cardiovascular risk, weight loss may also help with the management of perturbed inflammatory responses in overweight subjects.