Dietary Vitamin A and Visceral Adiposity: A Modulating Role of the Retinol-Binding Protein 4 Gene

Abstract

Background/Aims: Visceral fat (VF) compared with subcutaneous fat (SF) is more closely associated with cardiometabolic disease. Dietary vitamin A (retinol) may reduce adiposity through its effects on adipogenesis differentially in VF and SF, and this effect may be modulated by retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP4). We investigated whether intake of vitamin A is associated with either VF or SF, and whether this association is moderated by the RBP4 genotype (rs10882272, C/T) previously associated with circulating retinol levels. Methods: This was a cross-sectional association study in a sample of 947 adolescents from a French-Canadian founder population. VF and SF were quantified with magnetic resonance imaging, and vitamin A intake was assessed with a 24-hour food recall. All participants were genotyped to determine their RBP4 variant. Results: Dietary intake of vitamin A was negatively associated with VF; however, it was not associated with SF. These relationships were independent of age, sex, height and energy intake, and were modulated by the RBP4 variant. The T allele promoted adiposity-reducing effects of vitamin A in VF and adiposity-enhancing effects in SF, while the C allele had adiposity-reducing effects in both VF and SF. Conclusions: Dietary vitamin A may reduce abdominal adiposity and promote visceral to subcutaneous body fat redistribution during adolescence in an RBP4-dependent manner. These observational findings provide the basis for future interventional studies, which together with genetic information may inject further causality in the association between dietary vitamin A intake and abdominal adiposity.

Changes in Retinol Binding Protein 4 Level in Undernourished Children After a Nutrition Intervention Are Positively Associated With Mother’s Weight but Negatively With Mother’s Height, Intake of Whole Milk, and Markers of Systemic Inflammation: Results From a Community-Based Intervention Study

“…In addition to liver, adipose tissue also synthesizes and secretes RBP4, and the expression is higher in visceral fat compared to subcutaneous fat. 35,36 Accordingly, the circulating levels of RBP4 show stronger correlation to the quantity of visceral fat than the subcutaneous fat. 36 Hence, changes in subcutaneous fat are unlikely to show any strong association with the RBP4 level.…”

Is visceral adiposity a modifier for the impact of blood pressure on arterial stiffness and albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes?

“…Third, we were unable to obtain information on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and sympathetic activity. Fourth, we were unable to obtain any information on diet including vitamin A which may reduce visceral fat [ 50 ]. Finally, it is to be elucidated whether the association of blood pressure with arterial stiffness and albuminuria could be mediated by visceral adiposity in populations other than diabetic patients.…”

Factors and Molecular Mechanisms of Vitamin A and Childhood Obesity Relationship: A Review

“…Retinol may reduce obesity through its different effects on fat formation in visceral and subcutaneous fat, which is regulated by RBP4. A community study of 947 adolescents suggests that dietary VA may not only reduce abdominal fat, but also promote body fat redistribution from visceral to subcutaneous fat (3,34). In recent years, the importance of retinol in adipose tissue biology and obesity has become apparent.…”