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Objective:Overexpression of Angiopoietin-like protein 2 (Angptl2) in obese adipose tissues promotes adipose tissue inflammation and its-related metabolic abnormalities. In a comparative study with adiponectin, we investigated whether alterations in serum Angptl2 concentrations reflect the effect of lifestyle intervention on weight loss and improved metabolic parameters in overweight subjects.Methods:A total of 154 Japanese men (age, 40.9±5.1 years; body mass index, 26.9±3.6 kg m−2; abdominal circumference, 94.1±8.9 cm) underwent a 3-month lifestyle intervention and underwent follow-up for 3 months thereafter.Results:Decreased serum Angptl2 levels, but not increased serum adiponectin levels, were immediately apparent at the end of 3-month lifestyle intervention. Angptl2 levels continued to decrease for 3 months in parallel with body weight loss and improvement in metabolic indicators. In subjects showing ⩾6% weight reduction, markedly reduced Angptl2 levels were detected at the end of 3-month intervention, whereas increased adiponectin levels were detected 3 months after the end of intervention. Multivariate analysis revealed changes in serum Angptl2 levels associated with changes in triglycerides (TGs), aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. In contrast, changes in serum adiponectin levels were associated with altered high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and fasting plasma glucose levels.Conclusion:A 3-month lifestyle intervention promoted weight reduction and improved glucose and lipid metabolism, an effect maintained 3 months later. Notably, our findings indicate that decreased Angptl2 levels are a good indicator of reduced visceral fat and metabolic improvement at early stages of lifestyle intervention. Thus, Angptl2 reflects adiposity and might be a key protein to regulate inflammation and TG metabolism, whereas adiponectin levels could reflect improved glucose and HDL-C metabolism.

In Parts I and II, we reported that during nonsteady-state transport of water vapor through layered fabrics, the temperature between two fabrics rose. In this study, we measure the surface temperature of the first-layer fabrics in similar experiments. The mass of the first layer is changed by tightly stacking the same fabrics, and the surface temperature rise is measured as a function of the mass and the kind of polymers. The rise of surface temperature is proportional to the mass of fabrics and the water ab sorption characteristics of the polymers. We can confirm that the temperature rise that occurs in the space between layered fabrics is mainly due to the heat of absorption of water vapor by the polymers (fabrics).

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