Adiponectin Changes in Relation to the Macronutrient Composition of a Weight‐Loss Diet

Abstract

Adiponectin is an adipose‐derived protein with beneficial metabolic effects. Low adiponectin is associated with obesity and related diseases. Significant weight loss increases adiponectin, reducing disease risk. This study compared the effects of two weight‐loss diets with different macronutrient compositions on adiponectin. Eighty‐one obese women in two cohorts were randomized to a low‐fat (LF) or a low‐carbohydrate (LC) diet. All subjects underwent equivalent weight‐loss intervention, with weight and other measures assessed at baseline and after 6 (cohort I) or 4 (cohort II) months. Body fat was measured by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Adiponectin was measured by radioimmunoassay. Diet intake was assessed using 24‐h recalls and 3‐day diet records. Data were analyzed via t‐tests and repeated‐measures factorial ANOVA using time, diet, and replicate (cohort I vs. cohort II) as factors. Age, weight, body fat, BMI, adiponectin, and diet were similar at baseline. Following intervention, macronutrient composition of the diet was vastly different between the groups, reflecting the assigned diet. Both groups lost weight and body fat (P < 0.001), with effect in LC dieters greater than LF dieters (−9.1 kg vs. −4.97 kg weight, P < 0.05 and −5.45 kg vs. −2.62 kg fat, P < 0.001). Adiponectin increased in the LC (+1.92 mcg/ml, P < 0.01), but not the LF (+0.86 mcg/ml, P = 0.81), group. There was no correlation between weight loss and increase in adiponectin. These results confirm that diet‐induced loss of weight and body fat is associated with increased adiponectin concentrations. This effect is evident with weight loss of 10% or more, and may be greater with LC diets.

Addition of Exercise Increases Plasma Adiponectin and Release from Adipose Tissue

“…Several previous studies examined adiponectin changes after caloric restriction interventions. Increased adiponectin concentrations have been reported in most(3, 10, 12, 17, 18, 37), but not all studies(6, 28, 35, 37). The findings of these prior studies support that weight loss close to 10% or more is associated with increased adiponectin concentrations.…”

“…There may also be a sex difference with men having a larger increase in adiponectin than women(3). In fact, the above-mentioned studies that did not show an increase in adiponectin concentration were in women only (5%, 7.5%, and 7% weight loss)(6, 35, 37), or with women as the majority of the study sample (average of ~11% weight loss)(28). Differently, in studies that showed increased adiponectin concentration, either there was a significant percentage of both men and women(2, 10, 12, 17), or there was a large amount of weight loss (>15%) when there were women only(18) or only a small percentage of men was included(8).…”

“…The findings of these prior studies support that weight loss close to 10% or more is associated with increased adiponectin concentrations. As an example, in one of these studies, adiponectin concentration did not change with 5% weight loss but increased with 10% weight loss(37). There may also be a sex difference with men having a larger increase in adiponectin than women(3).…”

“…Lifestyle interventions are commonly recommended for treating obesity(25). However, weight loss, induced by caloric restriction alone or the combination of caloric restriction and exercise, has showed inconsistent effects on circulating adiponectin concentrations; it is increased after weight loss in some studies(1-3, 8, 10, 12, 16-18, 37), but not in others(6, 28, 35, 37). These results do not always support that adiponectin concentration increases with certain amount of weight loss.…”

Modulation of adiponectin as a potential therapeutic strategy

“…It was reported that adiponectin levels increased by 9.5% and leptin levels decreased by 27.1% [44]. In a study involving obese women, a 6-month, low-carbohydrate diet resulted in weight loss and a 19% increase in adiponectin levels [45]. These findings may help explain the underlying mechanisms of healthy diets and their beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.…”