Adiponectin, inflammation, and the expression of the metabolic syndrome in obese individuals: the impact of rapid weight loss through caloric restriction

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Jun;89(6):2697-703. doi: 10.1210/jc.2003-031826.

Abstract

Severe obesity increases the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, and moderate acute weight loss with a very low-calorie diet in obese subjects with the metabolic syndrome leads to significant metabolic benefits. Adiponectin has been implicated in both the pathogenesis of obesity-related insulin resistance and increased inflammation. We analyzed the relationship of the adipocyte-derived hormone adiponectin with indices of inflammation, adiposity, and insulin resistance in obese subjects with (MS+, n = 40) and without (MS-, n = 40) the metabolic syndrome and examined the acute effects of rapid weight loss. MS+ subjects had significantly lower adiponectin (7.6 +/- 0.6 vs. 10.4 +/- 0.6 microg/ml; P = 0.003) and significantly higher TNF-alpha (3.3 +/- 0.2 vs. 2.8 +/- 0.3 pg/ml; P = 0.004) levels compared with MS- subjects matched for age and body mass index. Plasma adiponectin and TNF-alpha levels were inversely related to the number of metabolic syndrome factors in a stepwise manner. After 4-6 wk of weight loss, there was marked improvement in glucose, insulin, leptin, and triglycerides, whereas adiponectin and TNF-alpha concentrations did not change. Thus, increases in plasma levels of adiponectin or reductions in TNF-alpha are not required for marked improvements in glucose/insulin and lipid metabolism with acute weight loss.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adiponectin
  • Blood Glucose
  • Diet, Reducing
  • Energy Intake*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / diagnosis
  • Inflammation / diet therapy
  • Inflammation / metabolism*
  • Insulin / blood
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins*
  • Leptin / blood
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Metabolic Syndrome / diet therapy
  • Metabolic Syndrome / metabolism*
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / diagnosis
  • Obesity / diet therapy
  • Obesity / metabolism*
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • Weight Loss

Substances

  • Adiponectin
  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Leptin
  • Proteins
  • Triglycerides
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha