Sex-specific effects of vegetarian diet on adiponectin levels and insulin sensitivity in healthy non-obese individuals

Lovrenčić, Marijana Vučić; Gerić, Marko; Košuta, Iva; Dragičević, Maro; Garaj‐Vrhovac, Vera; Gajski, Goran

doi:10.1016/j.nut.2020.110862

Cited by 13 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…After adjustment for age, height, and %fat mass, we found sex-differences with higher expression of adiponectin in women than in men. Our results are in line with several studies, which reported sex-differences in adiponectin levels in non-obese persons [ 61 – 63 ]. However, we can demonstrate for the first time after a comprehensive adjustment strategy including body composition parameters that adiponectin is an important effect modifier to the sex-specific risk of the MetS.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Gender differences in cardiometabolic health and disease in a cross-sectional observational obesity study

et al. 2022

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Background Beyond the degree of adiposity, the pattern of fat distribution has a profound influence on cardiometabolic risk. It is unclear if sex differences in body fat distribution can potentially explain any sex differences in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and in individual cardiometabolic risk factors among obese men and women. Methods In this cross-sectional analysis, 432 persons from the ongoing Obesity Weight Reduction Study (n = 356 obese, ØBMI 41 ± 8 kg/m2, and 76 non-obese, ØBMI 25 ± 3 kg/m2), were included. The relations of sex to MetS prevalence and selected cardiometabolic risk factors were assessed using univariate and multivariate adjusted regression models. Results In crude analyses, %fat mass and the fat mass/lean mass ratio were significantly higher in women than in men, regardless of increasing obesity categories, from normal weight to grade-3-obesity. In contrast, markers of abdominal obesity, such as waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio were higher in men than in women, despite similar BMI. The prevalence of the MetS was higher in obese men than in women (67.6 vs. 45.0%, p < 0.0001), particularly in younger individuals < 40 years (72.5 vs. 36.8%, p < 0.0001), but “metabolically healthy obesity” (BMI ≥ 30, no other NCEP ATPIII MetS component) was more common in women than in men (15.6 vs. 4.1%, p < 0.0001). After adjusting for age, %body fat and height, sex differences were observed for HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001), triglycerides (p < 0.001), fasting glucose (p = 0.002), insulin and HOMA-IR levels (p < 0.001), ALAT (p < 0.001), adiponectin (p < 0.001), and sE-selectin (p = 0.005). In contrast, crude sex differences in other variables, such as leptin levels (68 ± 4 in obese women vs. 33 ± 2 µg/L in men, p < 0.0001), disappeared after accounting for differences in %body fat (least-squares means of leptin: 52 ± 4 vs. 55 ± 6 µg /L, p = 0.740). A logistic regression model adjusting for age and lifestyle factors revealed a lower risk of having MetS for women as compared to men (OR = 0.38[0.22–0.60]). That risk estimate did not materially alter after adding BMI to the model. In contrast, no statistically significant association between sex and MetS prevalence was observed after adding waist circumference and adiponectin to the model (OR = 1.41[0.59–3.36]). Conclusions Different body fat distribution patterns, particularly abdominal adiposity, adiponectin, and related biomarkers, may contribute to sex differences in cardiometabolic risk factors and to the prevalence of the MetS.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Gender differences in cardiometabolic health and disease in a cross-sectional observational obesity study

et al. 2022

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“…The results of our and other studies emphasize not only the previously known fundamental difference of adipokine levels in males and females, but also a supposed sex-difference in alterability by diet or speci c nutritional components [26]. This is also supported by the results of Vučić Lovrenčić et al as they observed differences of adipokine concentration in female vegetarians compared to female omnivores but not in male vegetarians compared to male omnivores [27]. Apart from sex-related differences, the general impact of speci c diets or of speci c nutritional components on adipokines levels of normal-weight human beings remains still unclear, since the majority of publications dealt with adipokine changes in weight-losing subjects or in animals [28].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

The Effect of A 4-Week Vegan Diet on Adipokine Levels in Healthy Male and Female Participants: A Randomized-Controlled Trial

Lederer

Hettich

Huber

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background Vegan diet (VD) is reported to show beneficial health effects including cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory protection, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that adipokines, a special type of cytokine produced by the white adipose tissue with known effects on metabolism and the immune system, may contribute to the observed anti-inflammatory effects of VD. Methods A parallel group interventional trial was designed to evaluate the effect of VD compared to meat-rich diet (MD) on serum levels of two central adipokines, leptin and adiponectin. Fifty-three healthy, omnivore participants (62% female, average age 31 years and BMI 23.1 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to VD or MD for 4 weeks. Results End value comparison between VD group and MD group showed a significantly lower level of adiponectin in the MD group (11.6 vs. 15.5 µg/mL, p = 0.025) indicating a moderate effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.524). Participants’ sex affected adipokine levels requiring a separate analysis of male and female participants. Leptin was increased by MD only in male participants (p = 0.019) whereas adiponectin remained stable. Female participants in VD group showed higher adiponectin levels at the end of trial (compared to VD-baseline, p = 0.023, as well as compared to MD group, p = 0.015). The end concentration of adiponectin depended on diet in female participants (p = 0.010). Conclusion The results of our trial suggest that plasma concentration of leptin and adiponectin do not explain the immunomodulatory potential of VD in healthy participants, but it appears that diet modifies adipokine levels in a sex-specific manner.Trial registration: German Clinical Trial register (DRKS00011963), registered 30 March 2017, https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00011963.

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“…Vučić Lovrenčić et al [ 38 ] reached similar conclusions. Female vegetarians had significantly lower fasting insulin levels (38.4 (35.1–46.4) vs. 49.9 (37.7–63.8) pmol/L) and lower HOMA index values (0.80 (0.75–0.95) vs. 1.10 (0.80–1.30)) than omnivorous women ( p = 0.02) Additionally, pancreatic β-cell function as estimated by HOMA2 (HOMA2%B) was significantly higher in subjects on a plant-based diet than in those consuming meat products (115.5 ± 42.9 vs. 91.0 ± 35.0, p = 0.04), indicating that a vegetarian diet had a positive effect on improving β-cell function.…”

Section: Impact Of a Vegetarian Diet On Insulin Resistancementioning

confidence: 54%

“…Numerous studies show a positive effect of a vegetarian diet on insulin resistance compared to traditional, non-vegetarian diets [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ].…”

Section: Impact Of a Vegetarian Diet On Insulin Resistancementioning

confidence: 99%

Non-Pharmacological Treatments for Insulin Resistance: Effective Intervention of Plant-Based Diets—A Critical Review

2022

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Plant-based diets are becoming increasingly popular. Vegetarian diets are better for the environment and exhibit health benefits. A correctly balanced plant-based diet is appropriate at every stage of life. Compared to omnivores, vegetarians consume more fruits and vegetables, more fibre, vitamins C and E, magnesium and less saturated fats. In general, they have better nutrition knowledge, and they are slimmer, healthier and live longer than omnivores. It also seems that following a plant-based diet prevents the onset of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obesity and some cancers. Food intake has a key influence on insulin resistance. Consumption of calorie-rich and highly processed foods, meats and sweetened beverages is a characteristic element of Western diets. They promote and elevate insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In contrast, intake of pulses and exclusion of meats as well as animal products bring significant benefits to vegetarian diets. According to studies, vegetarians and vegans have better blood parameters, including better glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol levels. Their homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) test results are also better. More plant-based foods and fewer animal foods in a diet result in lower insulin resistance and a lower risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of plant-based diets on insulin resistance. In this review, we focused on presenting the positive effects of vegetarian and vegan diets on insulin resistance while showing possible clinical applications of plant-based diets in the treatment and prevention of modern-age diseases. Current and reliable publications meeting the requirements of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) were taken into account in this review.

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Sex-specific effects of vegetarian diet on adiponectin levels and insulin sensitivity in healthy non-obese individuals

Cited by 13 publications

References 29 publications

Gender differences in cardiometabolic health and disease in a cross-sectional observational obesity study

Gender differences in cardiometabolic health and disease in a cross-sectional observational obesity study

The Effect of A 4-Week Vegan Diet on Adipokine Levels in Healthy Male and Female Participants: A Randomized-Controlled Trial

Non-Pharmacological Treatments for Insulin Resistance: Effective Intervention of Plant-Based Diets—A Critical Review

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