Adherence to healthy eating patterns is associated with higher circulating total and high-molecular-weight adiponectin and lower resistin concentrations in women from the Nurses' Health Study

Dietary inflammatory index and its association with risk of metabolic syndrome and its components: a systematic review and Meta-analysis of Observational studies

BACKGROUND

It is believed that the progression and development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) are associated with low-grade systemic inflammation. Several studies have suggested that the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), which estimates the inflammatory potential of diets, is associated with MetS. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the relationships between DII and the MetS and its components.

METHODS

Relevant articles published in English from inception to May 2024 were identified by searching electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. We included studies that reported the odds ratio (OR), relative risk (RR), or hazard ratio for the association of DII with the MetS and its components. Effect sizes were pooled using a random effects model.

RESULTS

A total of three prospective studies and 22 cross-sectional studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that pro-inflammatory diets were significantly associated with an increased risk of MetS in cohort studies (RR: 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-1.48) and cross-sectional studies (OR:1.24; 95% CI: 1.11-1.38). Meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies showed that a higher DII score was significantly associated with higher odds of hypertension (OR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.10-1.28) and hyperglycemia (OR = 1.18; CI = 1.06-1.32). The pooled OR comparing the highest versus lowest category of DII with the odds of abdominal obesity and hypertriglyceridemia was significant only after adjustment for covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, higher DII is associated with a higher risk of MetS and some of its components. Based on the findings, dietary interventions should be considered for preventing MetS from the inflammatory perspective.

Adiponectin in spinal cord injury: What is the role of nutrition in serum adiponectin concentration?

Objectives: The study aimed to analyze the relationship between serum adiponectin concentration, Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence, and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet adherence in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Patients and methods: Thirty-three SCI patients (21 males, 12 females; median age: 33 years; range, 18 to 65 years) and 33 age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched healthy controls (21 males, 12 females; median age: 33 years; range, 18 to 64 years) were included in this cross-sectional study between March 2021 and March 2022. Serum adiponectin concentrations of all participants were measured. Body weight, height, and neck, hip, waist, and mid-upper arm circumferences were measured. Twenty-four-hour dietary records were obtained by the researchers for evaluation of the nutritional status. The DASH diet score and MD score were measured for each participant. Results: Most of the cases of SCI were due to motor vehicle collisions (n=12, 36.4%) and complete paraplegic. Mid-upper arm circumference, waist circumference, hip circumference, and neck circumference of the patient group were significantly higher than the control group (p=0.020, p=0.002, p=0.042, and p<0.001, respectively). Mediterranean diet scores and DASH diet scores of the patient group were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.001 and p=0.031, respectively). Serum adiponectin concentration of patients was significantly higher than the control group (p=0.049). No correlation was detected between adiponectin concentration, MD score, and DASH diet score in both groups. Conclusion: Although correlation analysis in the current research did not show significant relation between nutrition and adiponectin concentrations, nutrition of patients with SCI, as demonstrated by higher adherence to MD and DASH, may have provided positive effects on adiponectin concentrations. Future studies focused on the effect of a healthy diet intervention on serum adiponectin concentration is warranted.

Pre-diagnostic circulating resistin concentrations and mortality among individuals with colorectal cancer: Results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study

Resistin is a protein involved in inflammation and angiogenesis processes and may play a role in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, it remains unclear whether resistin is associated with increased mortality after CRC diagnosis. We examined pre-diagnostic serum resistin concentrations in relation to CRC-specific and all-cause mortality among 1343 incident CRC cases from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. For CRC-specific mortality as the primary outcome, hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated from competing risk analyses based on cause-specific Cox proportional hazards models and further in sensitivity analyses using Fine-Gray proportional subdistribution hazards models. For all-cause mortality as the secondary outcome, Cox proportional hazards models were used. Subgroup analyses were performed by sex, tumor subsite, tumor stage, body mass index and time to CRC diagnosis. Resistin was measured on a median of 4.8 years before CRC diagnosis. During a median follow-up of 8.2 years, 474 deaths from CRC and 147 deaths from other causes were observed. Resistin concentrations were not associated with CRC-specific mortality (HRQ4vsQ1  = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.73-1.23; Ptrend  = .97; and HRper doubling of resistin concentration  = 1.00; 95% CI: 0.84-1.19; P = .98) or all-cause mortality. Results from competing risk (sensitivity) analysis were similar. No associations were found in any subgroup analyses. These findings suggest no association between pre-diagnostic circulating resistin concentrations and CRC-specific or all-cause mortality among persons with CRC, and the potential insignificance of resistin in CRC progression.

Associations of healthful and unhealthful plant-based diets with plasma markers of cardiometabolic risk

PURPOSE

Plant-based diets, particularly when rich in healthy plant foods, have been associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, the impact of plant-based diets that distinguish between healthy and unhealthy plant foods on cardiometabolic biomarkers remains unclear.

METHODS

Dietary information was collected by two 24-h recalls among 34,785 adults from a nationwide cross-sectional study. Plasma levels of insulin, C-peptide, glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC) count, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured. Linear regression was used to evaluate the percentage difference in plasma marker concentrations by three plant-based diet indices, namely the overall plant-based diet index (PDI), the healthful PDI (hPDI), and the unhealthful PDI (uPDI).

RESULTS

Greater hPDI-adherence scores (comparing extreme quartiles) were associated with lower levels of insulin, Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), TG/HDL-C ratio, CRP, WBC count, and TG, and higher levels of HDL-C, with the percentage differences of  - 14.55,  - 15.72,  - 11.57,  - 14.95,  - 5.26,  - 7.10, and 5.01, respectively (all Ptrend ≤ 0.001). Conversely, uPDI was associated with higher levels of insulin, C-peptide, HOMA-IR, TG/HDL-C ratio, CRP, WBC count, and TG, but lower HDL-C, with the percentage differences of 13.71, 14.00, 14.10, 10.43, 3.32, 8.00, and  - 4.98 (all Ptrend ≤ 0.001), respectively. Overall PDI was only associated with lower levels of CRP and WBC count (all Ptrend ≤ 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that hPDI may have positive, whereas uPDI may have negative impacts on multiple cardiometabolic risk markers, and underscore the need to consider the quality of plant foods in future PDI studies.

Pre-Diagnostic Circulating Resistin Concentrations Are Not Associated with Colorectal Cancer Risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Study

Resistin is a polypeptide implicated in inflammatory processes, and as such could be linked to colorectal carcinogenesis. In case-control studies, higher resistin levels have been found in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients compared to healthy individuals. However, evidence for the association between pre-diagnostic resistin and CRC risk is scarce. We investigated pre-diagnostic resistin concentrations and CRC risk within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition using a nested case-control study among 1293 incident CRC-diagnosed cases and 1293 incidence density-matched controls. Conditional logistic regression models controlled for matching factors (age, sex, study center, fasting status, and women-related factors in women) and potential confounders (education, dietary and lifestyle factors, body mass index (BMI), BMI-adjusted waist circumference residuals) were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CRC. Higher circulating resistin concentrations were not associated with CRC (RR per doubling resistin, 1.11; 95% CI 0.94-1.30; p = 0.22). There were also no associations with CRC subgroups defined by tumor subsite or sex. However, resistin was marginally associated with a higher CRC risk among participants followed-up maximally two years, but not among those followed-up after more than two years. We observed no substantial correlation between baseline circulating resistin concentrations and adiposity measures (BMI, waist circumference), adipokines (adiponectin, leptin), or metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein, C-peptide, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, reactive oxygen metabolites) among controls. In this large-scale prospective cohort, there was little evidence of an association between baseline circulating resistin concentrations and CRC risk in European men and women.

A Dietary Inflammatory Index and associations with C-reactive protein in a general adult population

PURPOSE

Chronic low-grade inflammation is implicated in many of the diseases of ageing. Lifestyle factors, including diet may alter low-grade inflammation. This study aimed to assess cross-sectional associations between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) score and the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP); and determine if any association differs according to age (< 50 vs ≥ 50 years).

METHODS

DII scores were calculated for respondents of the Australian Health Survey 2011-2012 using data from two 24-h recalls. Serum CRP was measured using ultrasensitive immunoturbidimetric assay. Associations between DII and CRP were assessed using multivariate linear regression adjusting for confounders (age education, physical activity, sex and smoking). Associations were assessed for the whole cohort and stratified at age 50 years.

RESULTS

The analysis included 2558 respondents with a mean BMI of 26.8 kg/m² (< 50 years n = 1099; ≥ 50 years n = 1459). Respondents in the lowest DII quartile (anti-inflammatory diet) reportedly consumed more grains, vegetables and legumes, fruit, milk products, meat, poultry, fish and eggs, unsaturated oils and alcohol compared to respondents in DII quartile 4. No associations were seen between DII and CRP after adjustment for confounders in the whole cohort or when stratified < 50 or ≥ 50 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The DII was not associated with CRP in this cross-sectional study. Inflammation is complex characterised by a cascade of the multiple inflammatory markers and understanding the temporal relationship between diet and the inflammatory process is an important area for future research.

Association of Healthy Eating Index and the Alternative Healthy Eating Index with the cell blood count indices

OBJECTIVES

There is an association between diet quality and markers of inflammation. We aimed to investigate the relationship between diet quality with cell blood count (CBC) and inflammatory indices such as red cell distribution width (RDW) and white blood cell count (WBC).

STUDY DESIGN

A total of 367 male subjects aged 20-69 yrs, who were employees of Shahid Hasheminejad Gas Processing Company (SGPC) completed the study.

METHODS

All participants completed a questionnaire that contained questions about demography. Standard protocols were used for measuring anthropometric indices in all subjects. Blood samples were collected after a 12 hrs fast from all participants. Biochemical parameters were determined in all participants using an auto-analyzer (Eppendorf, Germany). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. CBC was measured using the Sysmex auto analyser system (KX-21 N). The HEI/AHEI scores extracted from a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to evaluate the diet quality. Data analyses were performed using SPSS 16 (SPSS Inc., IL, and USA).

RESULTS

A total of 674 men (aged 43.68±9.09 yrs) completed the study. The CBC indices were not significantly different between the HEI/AHEI classifications among the Iranian men (p-value >0.05 for all variables). Moreover, there was no association between HEI/ AHEI with the CBC indices in our population (p-value >0.05 for all variables).

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, there was no association between the diet quality with the cell blood count parameters among Iranian men.

The Influence of Nutrition on Adiponectin-A Narrative Review

The adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ which synthesizes and secretes a variety of adipokines, including adiponectin with its anti-inflammatory properties. Its expression is influenced by numerous factors such as age, sex, body weight and adipose tissue content. However, dietary factors, i.e., diet structure and the percentage of individual nutrients and products, are very important modulators. Beneficial dietary habits are the Mediterranean diet, DASH diet, diet based on plant products and diet with reduced energy value. Moreover, the share of individual products and nutrients which increase the concentration of adiponectin is worth noting. This group may include monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, polyphenols, alcohol and milk products. Conversely, dietary ingredients which have a negative effect on the concentration of adiponectin are typical components of the Western diet: saturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, monosaccharides and disaccharides, and red meat. Furthermore, a diet characterized by a high glycemic index such as a high-carbohydrate low-fat diet also seems to be unfavorable. Due to the fact that available knowledge should be systematized, this study aimed to summarize the most recent research on the influence of dietary factors on the concentration of adiponectin.

A weight-loss Mediterranean diet/lifestyle intervention ameliorates inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: results of the "MIMOSA" randomized clinical trial

PURPOSE

Inflammation and oxidative stress are implicated in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) pathophysiology. We aimed at exploring whether the combination of a weight-loss Mediterranean diet/lifestyle intervention with OSA standard care, i.e., continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) prescription, can lead to greater improvements in inflammation and oxidative stress, compared to standard care alone.

METHODS

This was a randomized controlled clinical trial in 187 adult, overweight patients with moderate-to-severe OSA. Participants were randomized to a standard care (SCG, n = 65), a Mediterranean diet (MDG, n = 62) or a Mediterranean lifestyle group (MLG, n = 60). All groups received OSA standard care. Intervention arms participated in a 6-month behavioral weight-loss intervention based on the Mediterranean diet, while the MLG also received counselling on physical activity and sleep habits.

RESULTS

Seven patients were excluded and 53/180 were lost to follow-up. In intention to treat analysis (n = 180), the SCG did not exhibit changes in any of the markers assessed. Post-intervention age-, sex-, baseline- and CPAP use-adjusted plasma high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (mg/L) were lower in the MDG and the MLG compared to the SCG (mean difference - 1.33, P = 0.039 and - 1.68, P = 0.007, respectively). The MLG also exhibited lower urinary 8-iso prostaglandin F2a levels (ng/mg creatinine) compared to the SCG and the MDG (mean difference - 1.10, P < 0.0001 and - 0.80, P = 0.001, respectively). Adiponectin and oxidized guanine levels were not altered in any of the study groups. Results were similar in per protocol analysis (n = 127).

CONCLUSION

A weight-loss Mediterranean diet/lifestyle intervention on top of CPAP has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits in OSA.

REGISTRATION

The trial was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02515357) on August 4, 2015.

Dietary Patterns, Asthma, and Lung Function in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

Rationale: Dietary patterns may alter immune responses and increase asthma risk or affect lung function.Objectives: To examine whether a proinflammatory diet (assessed by the energy-adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index [E-DII]) or high dietary quality (assessed by the Alternative Healthy Eating Index [AHEI-2010]) are associated with current asthma, current asthma symptoms, and lung function in Hispanic adults.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 12,687 adults aged 18 to 76 years who participated in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). The E-DII and AHEI-2010 were calculated based on two 24-hour dietary recalls. Logistic or linear regression was used for the multivariable analysis of E-DII or AHEI-2010 scores and current asthma, asthma symptoms, and lung function measures, adjusting for age, sex, annual household income, study center, Hispanic/Latino background, smoking status, and other covariates.Results: A higher E-DII score was associated with current asthma (odds ratio [OR] for quartile 4 vs. 1, 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97-1.90) and asthma symptoms (OR for quartile 4 vs. 1, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.12-1.81). The AHEI-2010 score was not associated with current asthma or asthma symptoms. Among adults without asthma, a higher E-DII score was associated with lower forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) and forced vital capacity (FVC), and a higher AHEI-2010 score was associated with higher FEV₁ and FVC.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a proinflammatory diet increases the risk of asthma and asthma symptoms in Hispanic adults. An antiinflammatory diet (indicated by a lower E-DII or a higher AHEI-2010 score) may positively influence lung function in Hispanic adults without asthma.

Dietary patterns and associations with biomarkers of inflammation in adults: a systematic review of observational studies

Background

Evidence indicates that low-grade inflammation is involved in manychronic diseases of ageing. Modifiable lifestyle factors including dietcan affect low-grade inflammation. Dietary patterns allow assessment of the complex interactions of food nutrients and health and may be associated with inflammatory status.

This systematic review aimed to summarises current evidence from observational studies for associations between dietary patterns and inflammatory biomarkers in the general adult population. This review followed the PRISMA guidelines.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search in Embase, CINAHL Complete, Global Health and MEDLINE complete databases. Search terms included terms for diet (“dietary patterns”, “diet scores”) and inflammation (“inflammation“, “c-reactive protein“, “interleukin“).

Results

The search produced 7161 records. Duplicates were removed leaving 3164 for screening. There were 69 studies included (60 cross-sectional, 9 longitudinal). Papers included studies that were: 1) observational studies; 2) conducted in community-dwelling adults over 18 years of age; 3) assessed dietary patterns; 4) measured specified biomarkers of inflammation and 5) published in English. Dietary patterns were assessed using diet scores (n = 45), data-driven approaches (n = 22), both a data-driven approach and diet score (n = 2). The most frequently assessed biomarkers were CRP (n = 64) and/or IL-6 (n = 22). Cross-sectionally the majority of analyses reported an association between higher diet scores (mostly Mediterranean and anti-inflammatory diet scores) and lower inflammatory markers with 82 significant associations from 133 analyses. Only 22 of 145 cross-sectional analyses using data-driven approaches reported an association between a dietary patterns and lower inflammatory markers; the majority reported no association. Evidence of an association between dietary patterns and inflammatory markers longitudinally is limited, with the majority reporting no association.

Conclusions

Adherence to healthy, Mediterranean and anti-inflammatory dietary scores, appear to be associated with lower inflammatory status cross-sectionally. Future research could focus on longitudinal studies using a potential outcomes approach in the data analysis.

Trial registration

PROSPERO Registration Number CRD42019114501.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12937-021-00674-9.

Circulating Adiponectin and Its Association with Metabolic Traits and Type 2 Diabetes: Gene-Diet Interactions Focusing on Selected Gene Variants and at the Genome-Wide Level in High-Cardiovascular Risk Mediterranean Subjects

Adiponectin is gaining renewed interest since, in addition to its possible protective role against insulin resistance and arteriosclerosis, recent studies suggest other additional favorable effects. However, the influence of gene-diet interactions on plasma adiponectin levels is still little understood. We analyzed the association between plasma adiponectin levels and various metabolic traits in a high-cardiovascular risk Mediterranean population, as well as the genetic effect of four candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) and their interactions with the Mediterranean dietary pattern. Additionally, we explored, at the genome-wide level, the SNPs most associated with plasma adiponectin levels, as well as gene-diet interactions with the Mediterranean diet. In the 954 participants studied (aged 55-80 years), plasma adiponectin levels were strongly associated with plasma HDL-C concentrations (p = 6.6 × 10^-36) and inversely related to triglycerides (p = 4.7 × 10^-18), fasting glucose (p = 3.5 × 10^-16) and type 2 diabetes (p = 1.4 × 10^-7). Of the four pre-selected ADIPOQ candidate SNPs, the one most associated with plasma adiponectin was the -11391G > A (rs17300539) promoter SNP (p = 7.2 × 10^-5, in the multivariable adjusted model). No significant interactions with the Mediterranean diet pattern were observed for these SNPs. Additionally, in the exploratory genome-wide association study (GWAS), we found new SNPs associated with adiponectin concentrations at the suggestive genome-wide level (p < 1 × 10^-5) for the whole population, including the lead SNP rs9738548 (intergenic) and rs11647294 in the VAT1L (Vesicle Amine Transport 1 Like) gene. We also found other promising SNPs on exploring different strata such as men, women, diabetics and non-diabetics (p = 3.5 × 10^-8 for rs2850066). Similarly, we explored gene-Mediterranean diet interactions at the GWAS level and identified several SNPs with gene-diet interactions at p < 1 × 10^-5. A remarkable gene-diet interaction was revealed for the rs2917570 SNP in the OPCML (Opioid Binding Protein/Cell Adhesion Molecule Like) gene, previously reported to be associated with adiponectin levels in some populations. Our results suggest that, in this high-cardiovascular risk Mediterranean population, and even though adiponectin is favorably associated with metabolic traits and lower type 2 diabetes, the gene variants more associated with adiponectin may be population-specific, and some suggestive gene-Mediterranean diet interactions were detected.

Associations between Maternal Dietary Patterns and Perinatal Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies

The aim was to systematically review and meta-analyze prospective cohort studies investigating the relation between maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy with pregnancy and birth outcomes. PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science were searched from inception until October 2019 for eligible studies. Studies reporting relative risk, ORs, or incidences (for binary data) or means ± SDs or B-coefficients (for continuous outcomes) comparing the highest and lowest adherence with maternal dietary patterns were included. Dietary patterns were categorized as "healthy," "unhealthy," or "mixed." No language restrictions were applied. Study-specific effect sizes with SEs for outcomes of interest were pooled using a random-effects model. Quality of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Sixty-six relevant publications were included. A higher maternal adherence to a healthy diet was associated with a reduced risk of gestational hypertension (14%, P < 0.001), maternal depression (40%, P = 0.004), low birth weight (28%, P = 0.001), preterm birth (56%, P < 0.001), higher gestational weight gain (Hedges' g: 0.15; P = 0.01), and birth weight (Hedges' g: 0.19; P = 0.007). Higher maternal adherence to an unhealthy or a mixed diet was associated with higher odds of gestational hypertension (23%, P < 0.001 for unhealthy, and 8%, P = 0.01 for mixed diet). In stratified analyses, a higher healthy eating index was associated with reduced odds of being large based on gestational age (31%, P = 0.02) and a higher head circumference at birth (0.23 cm, P = 0.02). The Mediterranean and "prudent" dietary patterns were related to lower odds of being small based on gestational age (46%, P = 0.04) and preterm birth (52%, P = 0.03), respectively. The overall GRADE quality of the evidence for most associations was low or very low, indicating that future high-quality research is warranted. This study was registered at http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO as CRD42018089756.

Physical Fitness but Not Diet Quality Distinguishes Lean and Normal Weight Obese Adults

BACKGROUND

Individuals with normal weight obesity (NWO) have increased cardiometabolic disease and mortality risk, but factors contributing to NWO development are unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine whether diet quality scores and physical fitness levels differed between adults classified as lean, NWO, and overweight-obese. Secondary objectives of the study were to compare clinical biomarkers and food groups and macronutrient intakes between the three groups, and to test for associations between body composition components with diet quality scores and physical fitness levels.

DESIGN

This is a secondary data analysis from a cross-sectional study that included metropolitan university and health care system employees. Body composition was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Individuals with a body mass index <25 kg/m2 and body fat >23% for men and >30% for women were classified as having NWO. Alternate Healthy Eating Index, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension score, and Mediterranean Diet Score were calculated from Block food frequency questionnaires. Physical fitness was assessed by measuring maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 maximum) during treadmill testing.

PARTICIPANTS/SETTING

This study included 693 adults (65% women, mean age 48.9 ± 11.5 years) enrolled between 2007 and 2013 in Atlanta, GA.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcome measures were Alternate Healthy Eating Index, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, and Mediterranean Diet Score diet quality scores and maximal oxygen uptake.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES

Multiple linear regression analyses with post hoc comparisons were used to investigate group differences in fitness, diet quality, and biomarkers. Regression analyses were also used to examine relationships between diet quality scores and fitness with body composition.

RESULTS

VO2 maximum was significantly lower in the NWO compared with the lean group (36.2 ± 0.8 mL/min/kg vs 40.2 ± 1.0 mL/min/kg; P < 0.05). Individuals with NWO reported similar diet quality to lean individuals and more favorable Alternate Healthy Eating Index and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension scores than individuals with overweight-obesity (P < 0.05). Diet quality scores and physical fitness levels were inversely associated with percent body fat and visceral adipose tissue (P < 0.05), regardless of weight status. Individuals with NWO exhibited higher fasting blood insulin concentrations, insulin resistance, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, and significantly lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than lean individuals (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Physical fitness was significantly decreased in individuals with NWO compared with lean individuals. Higher diet quality was associated with decreased total and visceral fat but did not distinguish individuals with NWO from lean individuals.

Dietary inflammatory index is associated with pain intensity and some components of quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Objectives

We aim to measure dietary inflammatory index (DII) and its association with functional status, pain intensity and quality of life (QOL) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Dietary information from 220 qualified patients with KOA was collected by a 168-item food frequency questionnaire. The functional status, pain intensity and QOL were evaluated by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and SF36 questionnaire respectively.

Results

Linear regression analysis showed that the DII was significantly associated with VAS (p = 0.040; β = 0.151), and physical function (p = 0.039; β = − 0.184), emotional wellbeing (p = 0.048; β = − 0.158) and pain (p = 0.020; β = 0.161) scales and physical health (p = 0.047; β = 0.110) subscale of QOL after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and physical activity. There was no significant differences concerning WOMAC across the DII tertiles with and without adjustment to probable confounders (P_trend = 0.091 and 0.181, respectively). After adjustment, a significantly increased severe pain odds was observed in the highest tertile of DII score in comparison with the lowest tertile (OR tertile _{3 vs. 1} = 1.55, 95% CI 1.04–2.31; P_trend = 0.04).

Ratios of serum eicosapentaenoic acid to arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid to arachidonic acid were inversely associated with serum resistin levels: The Hisayama Study

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

Resistin is an adipocyte-derived polypeptide that leads to the progression of insulin resistance and subsequent atherosclerosis. Some studies have reported an association between self-reported intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and serum resistin levels. However, no studies have investigated the association between the ratio of serum levels of n-3 to serum n-6 PUFAs and the serum resistin concentration in the general population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We carried out a cross-sectional study of 3,200 community-dwelling Japanese individuals aged ≥40 years in 2002-2003. The ratios of serum eicosapentaenoic acid or docosahexaenoic acid to arachidonic acid (AA) were categorized into quartiles. The associations of serum eicosapentaenoic acid/AA and docosahexaenoic acid/AA with the serum resistin concentration were assessed using linear regression models with adjustment for potential confounding factors.

RESULTS

The geometric mean of serum resistin was 10.3 ng/mL. The age- and sex-adjusted geometric mean of serum resistin decreased significantly with increased levels of serum eicosapentaenoic acid/AA (quartile 1: 11.3 ng/mL; quartile 2: 10.6 ng/mL; quartile 3: 10.3 ng/mL; quartile 4: 9.3 ng/mL; P for trend <0.001). A similar association was observed for serum docosahexaenoic acid/AA (quartile 1: 11.1 ng/mL; quartile 2: 10.6 ng/mL; quartile 3: 10.1 ng/mL; quartile 4: 9.7 ng/mL; P for trend <0.001). An adjustment for potential confounding factors did not change these associations.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher ratios of serum n-3 to n-6 PUFAs were associated with lower serum resistin levels. Consumption of a large amount of n-3 PUFAs might have desirable effects on resistin-mediated diseases.

Adherence to DASH-Style Dietary Pattern Impacts on Adiponectin and Clustered Metabolic Risk in Older Women

While dietary patterns are related to the age-related progression of chronic diseases, to what extent different dietary patterns influence inflammatory and metabolic risk factors in older adults remains to be elucidated. Additionally, potential moderating effects by physical activity (PA) become important to clarify. Here, we hypothesize that dietary patterns are linked to inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers and that these links are independent of PA. The present study aims to explore links between two dietary constructs and biomarkers of systemic inflammation and metabolic health in older women, while considering time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). A cross-sectional analysis of a sample of 112 community-dwelling older women (65–70 years old) was performed. Dietary constructs based on the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and the dietary inflammatory index (DII) were determined from food records. MVPA was objectively assessed using accelerometry. Metabolic outcomes (waist circumference, systolic/diastolic blood pressures and levels of glucose, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol) and inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen and adiponectin) were determined using standardized procedures and a clustered metabolic risk score was derived. Adherence to DASH-style diet was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with a lower clustered metabolic risk, where women in the highest adherence group had a significantly (p < 0.05) lower waist circumference and blood glucose level compared to those in the lowest group. Further, a significantly higher (p < 0.05) adiponectin level was observed in the high DASH adherence group compared to those with low adherence. Notably, adjustment by waist circumference did not alter links with either adiponectin or blood glucose level. Importantly, all observed links remained significant after further adjustment for time in MVPA. Finally, no significant associations were observed when the dietary pattern was defined by the DII. The findings of this study demonstrate that DASH-style diets promote a systemic anti-inflammatory environment, while also mitigating clustered metabolic risk in older women. A key finding is that favourable impacts of the DASH-style diet are independent of time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA, which further strengthens healthy eating behaviours as a key target for clinical and public health interventions designed to prevent age-related metabolic abnormalities.

Dietary Adherence, Self-Efficacy, and Health Behavior Change of WASHOKU-Modified DASH Diet: A Sub-analysis of the DASH-JUMP Study

Abstract: Background

We previously reported the nutritional characteristics and effects of the DASH-JUMP diet, which is a WASHOKU-modified DASH diet, in Japanese participants with untreated high-normal blood pressure or stage 1 hypertension. The dietary adherence of the DASH diet in Japanese participants has never been evaluated before.

Objective

We aimed to assess the relationships between dietary adherence, self-efficacy, and health behavior change among study participants who received the DASH-JUMP diet by home delivery.

Methods

Participants were treated with the DASH-JUMP diet for 2 months and consumed their usual diets for the next 4 months. We conducted surveys using the stage of behavior change model questionnaire and the modified perceived health competence scale Japanese version questionnaire at baseline and 1, 2, 3, and 6 months to assess dietary adherence.

Results

Forty-three participants (25 men, 18 women; mean age 53.6 ± 8.2 years) returned completed questionnaires, which we analyzed. Health behavior change was motivated by previous behavioral changes and improved biomarkers. The improvement and maintenance of self-efficacy were deeply related to health behavior change and previous self-efficacy. The experience of the DASH-JUMP study for participants included three processes to improve lifestyle habits: Phase 1, reflecting on previous lifestyle habits; Phase 2, learning through new experiences and the acquisition of knowledge; and Phase 3, desiring to maintain their own health.

Conclusion

It indicated that the DASH-JUMP diet significantly increased self-efficacy and promoted health behavior change.

Is Coffee and Green Tea Consumption Related to Serum Levels of Adiponectin and Leptin?

Coffee and green tea are two of most usual consumed beverages in the world which have several benefit components. Coffee and green tea have significantly inverse correlation with obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Adiponectin and leptin are the adipokines mostly secreted from adipose tissue and play the important roles on the status of chronic diseases. In the present study, we aimed to review the evidence about relationship between these beverages and adiponectin and leptin levels. We searched in PubMed to January 2013 using several key words such as coffee, green tea, caffeine, leptin, adiponectin, and adipokines. Finally, most related articles were recruited in this regard. Several findings suggested the positive association between coffee and adiponectin level. Different studies showed contradictory results regarding green tea and adiponectin level. However, most of them reported the positive role of green tea in adiponectin concentration. Fewer studies are conducted about the association between these beverages and leptin, and their results are controversial. More longitudinal investigations should be conducted in this regard to declare these associations.

Increase in Adiponectin Level Prevents the Development of Type 2 Diabetes in Japanese Men With Low Adiponectin Levels

Context

Low serum adiponectin (Ad) level is an important risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Objective

To determine whether the changes in Ad in subjects with low baseline serum Ad levels can reduce the rate of development of T2DM.

Design/Setting/Participants

We performed a large-scale longitudinal study of 7052 healthy Japanese men who underwent general health checkups more than twice between April 2007 and May 2015 at the Physical Check up Center, Sumitomo Hospital. The participants were divided into quartile groups according to baseline Ad level. Subjects of the lowest baseline Ad group (≤5.2 μg/mL) were subdivided into quartile subgroups according to the percent change in Ad (%ΔAd) and into two subgroups according to endpoint Ad (>5.2 and ≤5.2 μg/mL).

Main Outcome Measures

The cumulative incidence rate of T2DM.

Results

The cumulative incidence rate of T2DM of the lowest baseline Ad group (≤5.2 μg/mL) was significantly higher than the other quartile groups. The cumulative incidence rates of T2DM were significantly lower in the largest (≥21.5%) and the second largest (9.3% to 21.4%) %ΔAd-increased subgroups compared with the %ΔAd-decreased subgroup (P < 0.001 and P = 0.005, respectively). The cumulative incidence rates of T2DM were significantly lower in the endpoint Ad >5.2 μg/mL subgroup than in the ≤5.2 μg/mL subgroup (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Increases in serum Ad levels of at least ~10% or >5.2 μg/mL can potentially reduce the risk of development of T2DM in Japanese men with low baseline Ad levels who are at a high risk of developing T2DM.

Higher Mediterranean Diet Quality Scores and Lower Body Mass Index Are Associated with a Less-Oxidized Plasma Glutathione and Cysteine Redox Status in Adults

Background

Both systemic redox status and diet quality are associated with risk outcomes in chronic disease. It is not known, however, the extent to which diet quality influences plasma thiol/disulfide redox status.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of diet, as measured by diet quality scores and other dietary factors, on systemic thiol/disulfide redox status.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study of 685 working men and women (ages ≥18 y) in Atlanta, GA. Diet was assessed by 3 diet quality scores: the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS). We measured concentrations of plasma glutathione (GSH), cysteine, their associated oxidized forms [glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and cystine (CySS), respectively], and their redox potentials (EhGSSG and EhCySS) to determine thiol/disulfide redox status. Linear regression modeling was performed to assess relations between diet and plasma redox after adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI), sex, race, and history of chronic disease.

Results

MDS was positively associated with plasma GSH (β = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.03) and total GSH (GSH + GSSG) (β = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.03), and inversely associated with the CySS:GSH ratio (β = -0.02; 95% CI: -0.04, -0.004). There were significant independent associations between individual MDS components (dairy, vegetables, fish, and monounsaturated fat intake) and varying plasma redox indexes (P < 0.05). AHEI and DASH diet quality indexes and other diet factors of interest were not significantly correlated with plasma thiol and disulfide redox measures.

Conclusion

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was significantly associated with a favorable plasma thiol/disulfide redox profile, independent of BMI, in a generally healthy working adult population. Although longitudinal studies are warranted, these findings contribute to the feasibility of targeting a Mediterranean diet to improve plasma redox status.

Better Diet Quality during Pregnancy Is Associated with a Reduced Likelihood of an Infant Born Small for Gestational Age: An Analysis of the Prospective New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study

Background

Birth weight has a U-shaped relation with chronic disease. Diet quality during pregnancy may impact fetal growth and infant birth weight, yet findings are inconclusive.

Objective

We examined the relation between maternal diet quality during pregnancy and infant birth size among women enrolled in a prospective birth cohort.

Methods

Women 18-45 y old with a singleton pregnancy were recruited at 24-28 wk of gestation from prenatal clinics in New Hampshire. Women completed a validated food frequency questionnaire at enrollment. Diet quality was computed as adherence to the Alternative Healthy Eating Index. Infant birth outcomes (sex, head circumference, weight, and length) were extracted from medical records. Weight-for-length z scores, low birth weight, macrosomia, and size for gestational age [small for gestational age (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA)] were computed. Multivariable regression models fit each outcome on quartiles of diet quality, adjusted for covariates. Models were computed overall and stratified by smoking status.

Results

Analyses included 862 women and infants with complete data. Lower diet quality was associated with lower maternal education, being a smoker, prepregnancy obesity status, and lack of exercise during pregnancy. Overall, 3.4% of infants were born with a low birth weight, 12.1% with macrosomia, 4.6% were SGA, and 8.7% were LGA. In an adjusted model, increased diet quality appeared linearly associated with a reduced likelihood of SGA (P-trend = 0.03), although each quartile comparison did not reach statistical significance. Specifically, ORs for SGA were 0.89 (95% CI: 0.37, 2.15), 0.73 (95% CI: 0.28, 1.89), and 0.35 (95% CI: 0.11, 1.08) for each increasing quartile of diet quality compared to the lowest quartile. Similar trends for SGA were observed among non-smokers (n = 756; P-trend = 0.07). Also among non-smokers, increased diet quality was associated with lower infant birth weight (P-trend = 0.03) and a suggested reduction in macrosomia (P-trend = 0.07).

Conclusions

Increased diet quality during pregnancy was related to a reduced risk of SGA in this cohort of pregnant women from New Hampshire. Additional studies are needed to elucidate the relation between maternal diet quality and macrosomia.

Age-Associated Decline in Dendritic Cell Function and the Impact of Mediterranean Diet Intervention in Elderly Subjects

INTRODUCTION

Aging is accompanied by increased susceptibility to infection and age-associated chronic diseases. It is also associated with reduced vaccine responses, which is often attributed to immunosenescence and the functional decline of the immune system. Immunosenescence is characterized by a chronic, low-grade, inflammatory state termed inflammaging. Habitants of Mediterranean (MED) regions maintain good health into old age; often attributed to MED diets.

HYPOTHESIS

Adoption of a MED-diet by elderly subjects, in Norfolk (UK), may improve immune responses of these individuals and in particular, dendritic cell (DC) function.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

A total of 120 elderly subjects (65-79 years old) recruited onto the Nu-AGE study, a multicenter European dietary study specifically addressing the needs of the elderly, across five countries, and were randomized to the control or MED-diet groups, for one year. Blood samples were taken pre- and post-intervention for DC analysis and were compared with each other, and to samples obtained from 45 young (18-40 years old) subjects. MED-diet compliance was assessed using high performance liquid chromatography-with tandem mass spectrometry analysis of urine samples. Immune cell and DC subset numbers and concentrations of secreted proteins were determined by flow cytometric analysis.

RESULTS

As expected, reduced myeloid DC numbers were observed in blood samples from elderly subjects compared with young. The elevated secretion of the adipokine, resistin, after ex vivo stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from elderly subjects, was significantly reduced after MED-diet intervention.

CONCLUSION

This study provides further evidence of numerical and functional effects of aging on DCs. The MED-diet showed potential to impact on the aging immune cells investigated and could provide an economical approach to address problems associated with our aging population.

A priori-defined diet quality indices, biomarkers and risk for type 2 diabetes in five ethnic groups: the Multiethnic Cohort

Dietary indices have been related to risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) predominantly in white populations. The present study evaluated this association in the ethnically diverse Multiethnic Cohort and examined four diet quality indices in relation to T2D risk, homoeostatic model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and biomarkers of dyslipidaemia, inflammation and adipokines. The T2D analysis included 166 550 white, African American, Native Hawaiian, Japanese American and Latino participants (9200 incident T2D cases). Dietary intake was assessed at baseline using a quantitative FFQ and T2D status was based on three self-reports and confirmed by administrative data. Biomarkers were assessed about 10 years later in a biomarker subcohort (n 10 060). Sex- and ethnicity-specific hazard ratios were calculated for the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010), the alternative HEI-2010 (AHEI-2010), the alternate Mediterranean diet score (aMED) and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH). Multivariable-adjusted means of biomarkers were compared across dietary index tertiles in the biomarker subcohort. The AHEI-2010, aMED (in men only) and DASH scores were related to a 10-20 % lower T2D risk, with the strongest associations in whites and the direction of the relationships mostly consistent across ethnic groups. Higher scores on the four indices were related to lower HOMA-IR, TAG and C-reactive protein concentrations, not related to leptin, and the DASH score was directly associated with adiponectin. The AHEI-2010 and DASH were directly related to HDL-cholesterol in women. Potential underlying biological mechanisms linking diet quality and T2D risk are an improved lipid profile and reduced systemic inflammation and, with regards to DASH alone, an improved adiponectin profile.

Diet quality, inflammation, and the ankle brachial index in adults with or without cardiometabolic conditions

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Diet quality may influence non-traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors - namely, C-reactive protein (CRP) and the ankle-brachial index (ABI). Pre-existing traditional cardiometabolic conditions may confound this association. We aimed to determine whether diet quality was associated with high-risk CRP or ABI, independently from traditional cardiometabolic risk factors.

METHODS

Baseline data were analyzed from US-Hispanics/Latinos aged 18-74 y without previously-diagnosed CVD participating in the population-based Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos cohort. Included were 14,623 participants with CRP data, and 7892 participants (≥45 y) with ABI data. Diet quality was measured with the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI).

RESULTS

Nearly 35% of Hispanics/Latinos had high-risk CRP concentration and 6.3% had high-risk ABI (peripheral artery disease (PAD): 4.2%; arterial stiffness: 2.1%). After adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity, the odds (95% confidence interval) of having high-risk ABI were 37% (5, 44%) lower per 10-unit increase in AHEI (p = 0.018). The association was marginally significant for PAD (0.77 (0.58, 1.00); p = 0.05), and non-significant for arterial stiffness (p = 0.16). Each 10-unit increase in AHEI was associated with 21% (10, 30%) lower odds of high-risk CRP (p = 0.0002) after similar adjustments. There were no significant interactions between AHEI and age, sex, ethnicity, smoking, or pre-existing cardiometabolic conditions for associations with ABI. The association between AHEI and high-risk CRP was stronger for those with diabetes (p-interaction < 0.0001), obesity (p-interaction = 0.005), or ages 45-74 y (p-interaction = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher diet quality is associated with lower inflammation and less adverse ABI among Hispanics/Latinos, independently from traditional cardiometabolic risk factors.

Dietary patterns and cardiometabolic and endocrine plasma biomarkers in US women

BACKGROUND

Healthful dietary patterns have been associated with lower risks of type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease, but their relations with intermediate markers of cardiometabolic and endocrine health are less established.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), the alternate Mediterranean diet (aMED), and the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (aHEI) diet-quality scores with cardiometabolic and endocrine plasma biomarkers in US women.

DESIGN

The trial was a cross-sectional analysis of 775 healthy women in the Women's Lifestyle Validation Study that was conducted within the NHS (Nurses' Health Study) and NHS II longitudinal cohorts. Multiple linear regression models adjusted for potential confounders were used to estimate associations between quartiles of dietary pattern-adherence scores that were derived from a food-frequency questionnaire and plasma biomarker concentrations that were collected simultaneously.

RESULTS

In multivariable models in which highest and lowest quartiles of dietary pattern scores were compared, 1) DASH was significantly associated with higher concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (9%) and sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (21%), and lower concentrations of leptin (28%), triglycerides (19%), and C-peptide (4%) (all P-trend ≤ 0.04); 2) the aMED was associated with 19% higher SHBG and 16% lower triglycerides (P-trend = 0.02 and 0.003, respectively); and 3) the aHEI was associated with significantly higher concentrations of insulin (16%) and SHBG (19%) and lower concentrations of leptin (18%) (all P-trend ≤ 0.02). Further adjustment for body mass index (BMI) attenuated these associations but remained significant for 1) DASH with leptin and triglycerides and 2) the aMED with triglycerides (all P-trend ≤ 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to healthful dietary patterns is associated with favorable concentrations of many cardiometabolic and endocrine biomarkers. These relations are mediated in part by BMI.

An Increase in Dietary Quality Is Associated with Favorable Plasma Biomarkers of the Brain-Adipose Axis in Apparently Healthy US Women

BACKGROUND

The associations between long-term dietary quality and biomarkers of the brain-adipose axis have not been examined.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated both cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between dietary quality and several biomarkers involved in the brain-adipose axis.

METHODS

In the Nurses' Health Study II, 831 women [baseline mean age: 45 y; body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)): 24.6] were randomly selected from women who provided 2 fasting blood samples in 1996-1999 and 2010-2011 to measure plasma concentrations of leptin, soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R), adiponectin, insulin, retinol binding protein-4 (RBP-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Dietary quality was assessed by the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI-2010) with the use of semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaires administered in 1995 and 2011. We used linear mixed models to evaluate the cross-sectional associations between dietary quality and biomarker concentrations. We also examined change in dietary quality in relation to change in biomarker concentrations.

RESULTS

In cross-sectional analyses that compared the highest with the lowest quintile of AHEI-2010, we observed significantly lower leptin (P-trend < 0.0001), insulin (P-trend < 0.0001), and CRP (P-trend = 0.02) and significantly higher sOB-R (P-trend < 0.0001) and adiponectin (P-trend = 0.0003). These associations, except for CRP, remained significant after adjustment for BMI. In longitudinal analyses, women in the highest quintile of AHEI-2010 score change (most improvement) had a 13% increase in leptin, compared with a 42% increase (P-trend < 0.0001) in the lowest quintile (least improvement). The corresponding multivariable-adjusted percentage changes for other biomarkers were 4% compared with -1% for sOB-R (P-trend = 0.04), 14% compared with 6% for adiponectin (P-trend = 0.02), and -11% compared with 16% for CRP (P-trend = 0.02). Adjustment for interim weight change attenuated these associations. No associations were observed for RBP-4 or IL-6.

CONCLUSION

Improvement in dietary quality was associated with favorable profiles of several biomarkers of the brain-adipose axis in women.

Metabolic responses to a traditional Mexican diet compared with a commonly consumed US diet in women of Mexican descent: a randomized crossover feeding trial

BACKGROUND

Mexican immigrants are disproportionally affected by diet-related risk of metabolic dysfunction. Whether adhering to a traditional Mexican diet or adopting a US diet contributes to metabolic changes associated with future risk of type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases has not been investigated.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to test in a randomized crossover feeding trial the metabolic responses to a Mexican diet compared with a commonly consumed US diet.

DESIGN

First- and second-generation healthy women of Mexican descent (n = 53) were randomly assigned in a crossover design to consume a Mexican or US diet for 24 d each, separated by a 28-d washout period. Diets were eucaloric and similar in macronutrient composition. The metabolic responses to diets were assessed by measuring fasting serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), adiponectin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin 6 (IL-6), as well as the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) at the beginning and end of each period. Linear mixed models tested the intervention effect on the biomarkers, while adjusting for diet sequence, feeding period, baseline and washout biomarker concentrations, age, acculturation, and BMI.

RESULTS

Compared with the US diet, the Mexican diet reduced insulin by 14% [geometric means (95% CIs): 9.3 (8.3, 10.3) compared with 8.0 (7.2, 8.9) μU/mL; P = 0.02], HOMA-IR by 15% [2.0 (1.8, 2.3) compared with 1.7 (1.6, 2.0); P = 0.02], and IGFBP-3 by 6% (mean ± SEM: 2420 ± 29 compared with 2299 ± 29 ng/mL; P < 0.01) and tended to reduce circulating concentrations of IGF-1 by 4% (149 ± 2.6 compared with 144 ± 2.5 ng/mL; P = 0.06). There was no significant intervention effect on serum concentrations of glucose, adiponectin, CRP, or IL-6 in the US compared with the Mexican diet.

CONCLUSION

Compared with the commonly consumed US diet, the traditional Mexican diet modestly improved insulin sensitivity under conditions of weight stability in healthy women of Mexican descent, while having no impact on biomarkers of inflammation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01369173.

Impact of Weight Loss on Plasma Leptin and Adiponectin in Overweight-to-Obese Post Menopausal Breast Cancer Survivors

Women who are obese at the time of breast cancer diagnosis have higher overall mortality than normal weight women and some evidence implicates adiponectin and leptin as contributing to prognostic disadvantage. While intentional weight loss is thought to improve prognosis, its impact on these adipokines is unclear. This study compared the pattern of change in plasma leptin and adiponectin in overweight-to-obese post-menopausal breast cancer survivors during weight loss. Given the controversies about what dietary pattern is most appropriate for breast cancer control and regulation of adipokine metabolism, the effect of a low fat versus a low carbohydrate pattern was evaluated using a non-randomized, controlled study design. Anthropometric data and fasted plasma were obtained monthly during the six-month weight loss intervention. While leptin was associated with fat mass, adiponectin was not, and the lack of correlation between leptin and adiponectin concentrations throughout weight loss implies independent mechanisms of regulation. The temporal pattern of change in leptin but not adiponectin was affected by magnitude of weight loss. Dietary pattern was without effect on either adipokine. Mechanisms not directly related to dietary pattern, weight loss, or fat mass appear to play dominant roles in the regulation of circulating levels of these adipokines.

Association of dietary patterns with serum adipokines among Japanese: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Diet may influence disease risk by modulating adipokines. Although some foods and nutrients have been linked to circulating adipokine levels, little is known about the role of dietary patterns on adipokines. We investigated the association between major dietary patterns and circulating levels of adiponectin, leptin, resistin, visfatin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in a working population.

METHODS

The subjects were 509 employees (296 men and 213 women), aged 20 to 65 years, of two municipal offices. Serum adipokines were measured using a Luminex suspension bead-based multiplexed array. Dietary patterns were derived by using principal component analysis of the consumption of 52 food and beverage items, which were ascertained by a validated diet history questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the association between dietary pattern scores and adipokine concentrations, with adjustment for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Three major dietary patterns were extracted: a Japanese, a Westernized breakfast, and a meat food patterns. Of these, we found significant, inverse associations of the Westernized breakfast pattern, which was characterized by higher intake of confectioneries, bread, and milk and yogurt but lower intake of alcoholic beverages and rice, with serum leptin and PAI-1 concentrations in a fully adjusted model (P for trend = 0.04 for both leptin and PAI-1). The other adipokines were not significantly associated with any dietary pattern.

CONCLUSION

The Westernized breakfast dietary pattern may be associated with lower circulating levels of leptin and PAI-1.

Long-term adherence to healthy dietary guidelines and chronic inflammation in the prospective Whitehall II study

BACKGROUND

Inflammation plays an important role in the cause of cardiovascular diseases and may contribute to the association linking an unhealthy diet to chronic age-related diseases. However, to date the long-term associations between diet and inflammation have been poorly described. Our aim was to assess the extent to which adherence to a healthy diet and dietary improvements over a 6-year exposure period prevented subsequent chronic inflammation over a 5-year follow-up in a large British population of men and women.

METHODS

Data were drawn from 4600 adults (mean ± standard deviation, age 49.6 ± 6.1 years, 28% were women) from the prospective Whitehall cohort II study. Adherence to a healthy diet was measured using Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) scores in 1991-1993 (50.7 ± 11.9 points) and 1997-1999 (51.6 ± 12.4 points). Chronic inflammation, defined as average levels of serum interleukin-6 from 2 measures 5 years apart, was assessed in 1997-1999 and 2002-2004.

RESULTS

After adjustment for sociodemographic factors, health behaviors, and health status, participants who maintained a high AHEI score (ie, a healthy diet, n = 1736, 37.7%) and those who improved this score over time (n = 681, 14.8%) showed significantly lower mean levels of interleukin-6 (1.84 pg/mL, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.71-1.98 and 1.84 pg/mL, 95% CI, 1.70-1.99, respectively) than those who had a low AHEI score (n = 1594, 34.6%) over the 6-year exposure period (2.01 pg/mL, 95% CI, 1.87-2.17).

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that maintaining and improving adherence to healthy dietary recommendations may reduce the risk of long-term inflammation.

A randomized clinical trial of nutrition education for improvement of diet quality and inflammation in Iranian obese women

Background. Obesity is considered as a low grade inflammation condition. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nutritional education on diet quality and biomarkers of inflammation in Iranian obese women. Method. Sixty obese women voluntarily participated in this randomized clinical trial and were randomly assigned to intervention or control group (n = 30). Intervention group was instructed to attend nutrition education sessions (1 hr/wk, for 3 months) in small groups. Diet quality scores were measured by Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Anthropometric indices and serum concentration of hs-CRP, TNF-α, and adiponectin were measured at the baseline and end of the intervention. Results. There were no significant differences in anthropometric indices of participants between the two groups at the end of intervention (P > 0.05). However, the total HEI score was significantly higher in the educated group compared to the control group after intervention (P < 0.05). The educated group also showed significant lower concentration of TNF-α and hs-CRP and higher levels of adiponectin than the control group at the end of study (P < 0.05). Conclusions. Our results provide limited evidence that higher dietary quality contributes to reduced inflammation in obese women. This effect could be independent of the weight loss.

Prepregnancy dietary patterns and risk of pregnancy loss

BACKGROUND

Two previous case-control studies observed associations between specific food groups and risk of miscarriage; however, to our knowledge, no previous studies have investigated dietary patterns and risk of pregnancy loss.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess prepregnancy adherence to the alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010 (aHEI-2010), alternate Mediterranean diet (aMED), and Fertility Diet (FD) and risk of pregnancy loss.

DESIGN

Our prospective cohort study included 15,950 pregnancies reported by 11,072 women in the Nurses' Health Study II between 1992 and 2009. Diet was assessed every 4 y starting in 1991 by using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Prepregnancy dietary pattern scores were computed as the sum of a woman's score on each pattern's predefined components. Multivariable log-binomial regression models with generalized estimating equations were used to estimate RRs and 95% CIs.

RESULTS

Incident spontaneous abortions and stillbirths were reported in 2756 (17.3%) and 120 (0.8%) pregnancies, respectively. None of the 3 dietary patterns were associated with risk of pregnancy loss. In the multivariable model, RR of pregnancy loss for a 1-SD increase in score was 1.02 (95% CI: 0.98, 1.05) for the aMED pattern, 1.01 (95% CI: 0.98, 1.05) for the aHEI-2010 pattern, and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.95, 1.01) for the FD pattern. Results were consistent when pregnancy loss was classified as either a spontaneous abortion (loss at <20 wk) or a stillbirth (loss at ≥20 wk).

CONCLUSION

Prepregnancy adherence to several dietary patterns was not associated with risk of pregnancy loss.

Healthy Eating Index is associated with certain markers of inflammation and insulin resistance but not with lipid profile in individuals at cardiometabolic risk

Eating habits may influence inflammatory status and insulin resistance, both involved in the genesis of cardiometabolic diseases; an index of overall diet quality may be useful to identify risk for these diseases. We investigated whether the Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2005), adapted to Brazilian habits (B-HEI), was associated with markers of inflammation, insulin resistance and lipid profile in individuals at cardiometabolic risk. Two hundred and four prediabetic individuals (64.7% women) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometric measurements, 24-h dietary recalls used to calculate the B-HEI, and blood samples were collected. ANOVA was used for comparisons of clinical variables across the B-HEI tertiles and multiple linear regressions employed to test associations between clinical variables and B-HEI total score. Significant trends to decrease mean values of body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.03) and C-reactive protein concentrations (p = 0.02) across the tertiles of B-HEI, but not other biomarkers, were observed. Waist circumference, HOMA-IR and C-reactive protein were inversely associated with the B-HEI (p < 0.05), after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and physical activity level. Also, a direct association of adiponectin concentrations with B-HEI was detected after adjustments (p = 0.001). Data from this study indicate that the B-HEI may be useful to identify the body adiposity-induced pro-inflammatory status and insulin resistance in individuals at cardiometabolic risk.

Diet quality is associated with circulating C-reactive protein but not irisin levels in humans

OBJECTIVE

Adherence to a healthy diet has been shown to decrease the incidence of obesity and associated comorbidities. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an established inflammatory marker and irisin was recently identified as a molecule which may play a role in energy regulation and obesity but whether diet alters irisin levels remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between circulating irisin, leptin, and CRP levels and dietary quantity and quality using the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) and the Alternate Mediterranean Diet Score (aMED).

MATERIALS/METHODS

The study evaluated dietary data and biomarker levels of 151 participants between 2009 and 2011 (71 male vs. 80 female, over 35 years old, obese 43.7%). AHEI and aMED scores were calculated based on data derived from self-administered 110-item food-frequency questionnaires estimating usual nutrient intake over the past year. Cross-sectional associations between dietary quantity, quality, body composition by bioelectric impedance, and biomarker levels including irisin, leptin, and CRP after fasting were assessed.

RESULTS

CRP, but not irisin, was negatively correlated with AHEI (r=-0.34) and aMED (r=-0.31). Irisin was positively correlated with BMI (r=0.22), fat mass (r=0.21), waist circumference (r=0.24), waist-hip ratio (r=0.20), leptin (r=0.32), and CRP (r=0.25). Participants with the highest AHEI scores tended to have 11.6% lower concentrations of irisin (P for trend =0.09), but they were not significant after adjustment for potential confounders. Better diet quality was associated with lower CRP concentrations (P for trend=0.02) in multivariate model. Percentage of energy from carbohydrate was inversely associated with CRP.

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike CRP, irisin is not associated with dietary quality or quantity.

Iron and diabetes risk

Iron overload is a risk factor for diabetes. The link between iron and diabetes was first recognized in pathologic conditions-hereditary hemochromatosis and thalassemia-but high levels of dietary iron also impart diabetes risk. Iron plays a direct and causal role in diabetes pathogenesis mediated both by β cell failure and insulin resistance. Iron also regulates metabolism in most tissues involved in fuel homeostasis, with the adipocyte in particular serving an iron-sensing role. The underlying molecular mechanisms mediating these effects are numerous and incompletely understood but include oxidant stress and modulation of adipokines and intracellular signal transduction pathways.

Psychosocial factors associated with diet quality in a working adult population

The associations between specific intra- and inter-personal psychosocial factors and dietary patterns were explored in a healthy, working adult sample of university and health center employees (N = 640) who were enrolled in a prospective predictive health study. Participants had a mean age of 48 (SD = 11) years and were 67% women and 30% minority. Baseline psychosocial measures of perceived stress, depressive symptoms, social support, and family functioning were examined for their relationships with three diet quality indices-AHEI, DASH, and the Mediterranean. Dietary intake was of moderate quality in this high-income, well-educated, psychosocially healthy population. Social support was positively associated with better diet quality for all three indices (p < .01). Further research should focus on socio-environmental factors associated with diet quality.

A prospective study of plasma adiponectin and pancreatic cancer risk in five US cohorts

BACKGROUND

The adipocyte-secreted hormone adiponectin has insulin-sensitizing and anti-inflammatory properties. Although development of pancreatic cancer is associated with states of insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, the mechanistic basis of the associations is poorly understood.

METHODS

To determine whether prediagnostic plasma levels of adiponectin are associated with risk of pancreatic cancer, we conducted a nested case-control study of 468 pancreatic cancer case subjects and 1080 matched control subjects from five prospective US cohorts: Health Professionals Follow-up Study, Nurses' Health Study, Physicians' Health Study, Women's Health Initiative, and Women's Health Study. Control subjects were matched to case subjects by prospective cohort, year of birth, smoking status, fasting status, and month of blood draw. All samples for plasma adiponectin were handled identically in a single batch. Odds ratios were calculated with conditional logistic regression, and linearity of the association between adiponectin and pancreatic cancer was modeled with restricted cubic spline regression. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

Median plasma adiponectin was lower in case subjects versus control subjects (6.2 vs 6.8 µg/mL, P = .009). Plasma adiponectin was inversely associated with pancreatic cancer risk, which was consistent across the five prospective cohorts (P (heterogeneity) = .49) and independent of other markers of insulin resistance (eg, diabetes, body mass index, physical activity, plasma C-peptide). Compared with the lowest quintile of adiponectin, individuals in quintiles 2 to 5 had multivariable odds ratios ([ORs] 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of OR = 0.61 (95% CI = 0.43 to 0.86), OR = 0.58 (95% CI = 0.41 to 0.84), OR = 0.59 (95% CI = 0.40 to 0.87), and OR = 0.66 (95% CI = 0.44 to 0.97), respectively (P (trend) = .04). Restricted cubic spline regression confirmed a nonlinear association (P (nonlinearity) < .01). The association was not modified by sex, smoking, body mass index, physical activity, or C-peptide (all P (interaction) > .10).

CONCLUSIONS

In this pooled analysis, low prediagnostic levels of circulating adiponectin were associated with an elevated risk of pancreatic cancer.

Serum adiponectin level and different kinds of cancer: a review of recent evidence

Background. Adiponectin, an adipokine secreted from adipose tissue, has antiobesity, anti-insulin resistance, and anticancer roles. The present study aimed to review the epidemiologic evidence about the association between adiponectin and cancers. Method. We searched in PubMed from 2002 to October 2011 by using the following key words: cancer, malignancy, cell proliferation, and adiponectin. Finally, 45 articles were recruited to review in the present paper. Findings. Several findings suggested inverse association between concentration of hormone and breast cancer risk. Low levels of adiponectin increase the risk of endometrial cancer in women. Adiponectin levels were significantly associated with prostate cancer in men. It seems that there is an inverse relationship between levels of adiponectin or its gene and colorectal cancer. Significant association between hormone and pancreatic cancer was found. Conclusion. Several findings suggested the negative correlation between adiponectin and risk of cancers. This relationship was more elucidated by the correlation between the hormone with obesity and insulin resistance. Suppression of growth and proliferation of cancer cells by adiponectin were explained via several mechanisms.

Dietary intake and dietary quality of low-income adults in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

BACKGROUND

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) aims to alleviate hunger among its beneficiaries by providing benefits to purchase nutritious foods.

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a comprehensive dietary analysis of low-income adults and examined differences in dietary intake between SNAP participants and nonparticipants.

DESIGN

The study population comprised 3835 nonelderly adults with a household income ≤130% of the federal poverty level from the 1999-2008 NHANES. The National Cancer Institute method was used to estimate the distributions of usual intake for dietary outcomes. Relative differences in dietary intake by SNAP participation were estimated with adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics and household food security.

RESULTS

Few low-income adults consumed recommended amounts of whole grains, fruit, vegetables, fish, and nuts/seeds/legumes. Conversely, many low-income adults exceeded recommended limits for processed meats, sweets, and bakery desserts and sugar-sweetened beverages. Approximately 13-22% of low-income adults did not meet any food and nutrient guidelines; virtually no adults met all of the guidelines. Compared with nonparticipants, SNAP participants consumed 39% fewer whole grains (95% CI: -57%, -15%), 44% more 100% fruit juice (95% CI: 0%, 107%), 56% more potatoes (95% CI: 18%, 106%), 46% more red meat (95% CI: 4%, 106%), and, in women, 61% more sugar-sweetened beverages (95% CI: 3%, 152%). SNAP participants also had lower dietary quality scores than did nonparticipants, as measured by a modified Alternate Healthy Eating Index.

CONCLUSION

Although the diets of all low-income adults need major improvement, SNAP participants in particular had lower-quality diets than did income-eligible nonparticipants.

Adipocyte iron regulates adiponectin and insulin sensitivity

Iron overload is associated with increased diabetes risk. We therefore investigated the effect of iron on adiponectin, an insulin-sensitizing adipokine that is decreased in diabetic patients. In humans, normal-range serum ferritin levels were inversely associated with adiponectin, independent of inflammation. Ferritin was increased and adiponectin was decreased in type 2 diabetic and in obese diabetic subjects compared with those in equally obese individuals without metabolic syndrome. Mice fed a high-iron diet and cultured adipocytes treated with iron exhibited decreased adiponectin mRNA and protein. We found that iron negatively regulated adiponectin transcription via FOXO1-mediated repression. Further, loss of the adipocyte iron export channel, ferroportin, in mice resulted in adipocyte iron loading, decreased adiponectin, and insulin resistance. Conversely, organismal iron overload and increased adipocyte ferroportin expression because of hemochromatosis are associated with decreased adipocyte iron, increased adiponectin, improved glucose tolerance, and increased insulin sensitivity. Phlebotomy of humans with impaired glucose tolerance and ferritin values in the highest quartile of normal increased adiponectin and improved glucose tolerance. These findings demonstrate a causal role for iron as a risk factor for metabolic syndrome and a role for adipocytes in modulating metabolism through adiponectin in response to iron stores.

The role of adiponectin in cancer: a review of current evidence

Excess body weight is associated not only with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) but also with various types of malignancies. Adiponectin, the most abundant protein secreted by adipose tissue, exhibits insulin-sensitizing, antiinflammatory, antiatherogenic, proapoptotic, and antiproliferative properties. Circulating adiponectin levels, which are determined predominantly by genetic factors, diet, physical activity, and abdominal adiposity, are decreased in patients with diabetes, CVD, and several obesity-associated cancers. Also, adiponectin levels are inversely associated with the risk of developing diabetes, CVD, and several malignancies later in life. Many cancer cell lines express adiponectin receptors, and adiponectin in vitro limits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis. Recent in vitro studies demonstrate the antiangiogenic and tumor growth-limiting properties of adiponectin. Studies in both animals and humans have investigated adiponectin and adiponectin receptor regulation and expression in several cancers. Current evidence supports a role of adiponectin as a novel risk factor and potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in cancer. In addition, either adiponectin per se or medications that increase adiponectin levels or up-regulate signaling pathways downstream of adiponectin may prove to be useful anticancer agents. This review presents the role of adiponectin in carcinogenesis and cancer progression and examines the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie the association between adiponectin and malignancy in the context of a dysfunctional adipose tissue in obesity. Understanding of these mechanisms may be important for the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies against obesity-associated malignancies.

The independent association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and adiponectin and its relation with BMI in two large cohorts: the NHS and the HPFS

Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and adiponectin levels are both associated with obesity and cardiovascular disease. Cross-sectional studies have suggested that 25(OH)D concentrations are positively associated with adiponectin, and that this relation may strengthen with increasing BMI. However, these studies had small samples sizes and did not account for many known confounders of adiponectin levels. We evaluated whether 25(OH)D was independently associated with circulating adiponectin in two large populations, and whether BMI modified this relationship. Cross-sectional analyses were performed on 1,206 women from the Nurses' Health Study I (NHS) and 439 men from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Multivariable linear regression was used to analyze the independent association between 25(OH)D and adiponectin after controlling for potential confounders. Effect modification by BMI was examined by creating interaction terms between vitamin D and BMI. 25(OH)D concentrations were positively associated with circulating adiponectin in univariate analyses, and also independently associated with adiponectin after multivariable adjustments in both populations (women: β = 0.06, P < 0.001; men: β = 0.07, P < 0.05). BMI did not significantly modify the relation between 25(OH)D and adiponectin in either population. Higher 25(OH)D concentrations were independently associated with higher adiponectin concentrations in large populations of women and men. Since lower levels of 25(OH)D and adiponectin are associated with higher cardio-metabolic risk, assessing the effect of vitamin D supplementation on adiponectin levels is warranted.

Dietary consumption practices and cancer risk in African Americans in the rural South

This study describes the dietary consumption practices of a sample of African Americans in the rural South. A qualitative research design involving a cross-sectional food diary was utilized. Complete datasets were collected from 114 participants, 66% female, between the ages of 19 and 79 years. The consumption of a variety of fruits, non-starchy vegetables and unprocessed cereals in daily meals was low in this sample. Frequent consumption of fried foods; fast foods; sugary, carbonated beverages; processed, high-fat and high-sodium foods; and low fruit and non-starchy vegetable intake were evident. The findings are crucial to the development for culturally-specific nutrition education intervention programs for African Americans in the rural South targeted at the modification of not only diet, but food preparation methods to reduce cancer risk.

Dietary patterns, assessed from a weighed food record, and survival among elderly participants from the United Kingdom

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

There is variability in the association between dietary intake and health outcomes across different countries, especially among the elderly. We used the gold standard dietary assessment method, a weighed food record, to examine the association between dietary pattern and mortality in a representative sample of community dwelling participants from Great Britain aged 65 years and older.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Dietary intake was recorded at baseline in 1017 elderly participants (520 men, 497 women, mean age 76.3+/-7.4 years). Exploratory factor analysis was performed to examine dietary patterns and participants were followed up over an average of 9.2 years for mortality.

RESULTS

The factor analysis revealed four interpretable principal components accounting for approximately 9.8% of the total variance, with similar patterns across sex. A 'Mediterranean-style' dietary pattern explained the greatest proportion of the variance (3.7%), followed by 'health-aware' (2.2%), 'traditional' (2.0%) and 'sweet and fat' (1.9%) factors. There were a total of 683 deaths through follow-up. After adjustment for potential confounders, only the Mediterranean-style dietary pattern remained associated with mortality (highest vs lowest tertile; hazard ratio=0.82, 95% CI, 0.68-1.00). The benefits of the Mediterranean-style diet were only observed among women (hazard ratio=0.71, 95% CI 0.52-0.96) although in men the traditional diet was a risk factor for mortality (hazard ratio=1.30, 95% CI 1.00-1.71).

CONCLUSIONS

Using a gold standard approach, our results confirm previous evidence that dietary patterns are important in longevity among the elderly.

Adiponectin and polycystic ovary syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has a prevalence of 5-8% in women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS have an increased risk of metabolic syndrome and associated comorbidities. Adiponectin is a circulating protein produced by adipocytes. Circulating levels of adiponectin are inversely related to adipocyte mass. Low levels occur with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity-related cardiovascular disease. This article reviews the literature on the link between adiponectin and PCOS and the potential use of adiponectin as a biomarker for PCOS.

METHOD

Data-based studies on adiponectin and PCOS and adiponectin measurement were identified through the Medline (1950-2009) and ISI Web of Knowledge (1973-2009) databases.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies related to adiponectin and PCOS met inclusion criteria and were included in this review. These studies present evidence that adiponectin is linked to insulin resistance, insulin sensitivity, body mass index (BMI), and adiposity. In women with PCOS, lower levels, as opposed to higher levels, of adiponectin occur in the absence of adiposity.

CONCLUSION

The relationships between adiponectin and insulin resistance and sensitivity, metabolic syndrome, and BMI in women with PCOS suggest that adiponectin potentially could serve as a marker for disease risk and provide opportunity for earlier intervention if knowledge is successfully translated from laboratory to clinical practice. However, further study of the relationship between adiponectin and PCOS is required before there can be direct application to clinical practice.

Maternal diet and cord blood leptin and adiponectin concentrations at birth

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of total energy intake, macronutrient intake, and maternal adherence to Mediterranean diet or Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) on cord blood leptin and adiponectin levels, which have been associated with childhood adiposity.

METHODS

We used multivariable linear regression to assess associations of maternal diet, averaged over 1st and 2nd trimesters, with cord blood adipokines of 780 women from the prospective cohort study Project Viva.

RESULTS

Mean (SD) energy intake during pregnancy was 2135 (596) kcal. Mean (SD) cord blood levels of leptin and adiponectin were 9.0 (6.6) ng/ml and 28.6 (6.7) μg/ml, respectively. Neither closer adherence to a Mediterranean/AHEI pattern diet nor energy intake was associated with either cord blood leptin or adiponectin. Protein intake was associated with both marginally lower leptin (-0.22 ng/ml [95% CI -0.41, -0.02] for each 1% of energy) and adiponectin (-0.25 μg/ml [95% CI -0.48, -0.02]).

CONCLUSIONS

Closer adherence to a Mediterranean/AHEI pattern diet during pregnancy was not associated with cord blood leptin or adiponectin. Maternal protein intake was weakly but significantly associated with lower cord blood leptin and adiponectin.

Choline: an essential nutrient for public health

Choline was officially recognized as an essential nutrient by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in 1998. There is significant variation in the dietary requirement for choline that can be explained by common genetic polymorphisms. Because of its wide-ranging roles in human metabolism, from cell structure to neurotransmitter synthesis, choline-deficiency is now thought to have an impact on diseases such as liver disease, atherosclerosis, and, possibly, neurological disorders. Choline is found in a wide variety of foods. Eggs and meats are rich sources of choline in the North American diet, providing up to 430 milligrams per 100 grams. Mean choline intakes for older children, men, women, and pregnant women are far below the adequate intake level established by the IOM. Given the importance of choline in a wide range of critical functions in the human body, coupled with less-than-optimal intakes among the population, dietary guidance should be developed to encourage the intake of choline-rich foods.

A 25-year prospective study of plasma adiponectin and leptin concentrations and prostate cancer risk and survival

BACKGROUND

Adipocytokines may mediate the association between adiposity and lethal prostate cancer outcomes.

METHODS

In the Physicians' Health Study, we prospectively examined the association of prediagnostic plasma concentrations of adiponectin and leptin with risk of developing incident prostate cancer (654 cases diagnosed 1982-2000 and 644 age-matched controls) and, among cases, risk of dying from prostate cancer by 2007.

RESULTS

Adiponectin concentrations were not associated with risk of overall prostate cancer. However, men with higher adiponectin concentrations had lower risk of developing high-grade or lethal cancer (metastatic or fatal disease). The relative risk (95% CI) comparing the highest quintile to the lowest (Q5 vs Q1) was 0.25 (95% CI 0.07-0.87; P(trend) = 0.02) for lethal cancer. Among all the cases, higher adiponectin concentrations predicted lower prostate cancer-specific mortality [hazard ratio (HR)(Q5 vs Q1)= 0.39; 95% CI 0.17-0.85; P(trend) = 0.02], independent of body mass index (BMI), plasma C-peptide (a marker of insulin secretion), leptin, clinical stage, and tumor grade. This inverse association was apparent mainly among men with a BMI >or=25 kg/m(2) (HR(Q5 vs Q1)= 0.10; 95% CI 0.01-0.78; P(trend) = 0.02), but not among men of normal weight (P(trend) = 0.51). Although the correlation of leptin concentrations with BMI (r = 0.58, P < 0.001) was stronger than that of adiponectin (r = -0.17, P < 0.001), leptin was unrelated to prostate cancer risk or mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher prediagnostic adiponectin (but not leptin) concentrations predispose men to a lower risk of developing high-grade prostate cancer and a lower risk of subsequently dying from the cancer, suggesting a mechanistic link between obesity and poor prostate cancer outcome.