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We hypothesized that weight loss in obese subjects may affect adipokine levels, such as adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α. This study investigated the effects of an 8-week weight-control program on serum adiponectin, TNF-α, and blood lipid level profiles in obese subjects. Twenty obese subjects with a body mass index (BMI) higher than 25 kg/m² were recruited for this weight loss program that used dietetic control and aerobic exercise training. A total of 3 obese men and 11 obese women (mean age, 40.3 ± 10.8 years; BMI, 30.0 ± 3.4 kg/m²) finished the program. Anthropometric and biochemical characteristics in subjects before and after the program were determined. The results showed that subjects' body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels significantly (P < .05) decreased during the program. Further analysis showed a negative correlation between delta adiponectin and delta TNF-α, triacylglycerol, and systolic blood pressure in obese subjects. Subgroup analysis showed that obese subjects whose original BMI was less than 30 kg/m² had significantly increased serum adiponectin levels, and more than 3% weight reduction markedly improved blood lipids and body fat profiles during the program. Our findings suggest that weight reduction through an 8-week weight loss program may have anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic effects via increased serum adiponectin levels and improvements in blood lipid profiles and systolic blood pressure.

In order to investigate whether weight loss can lead to improvement of the mononuclear cell (MNC) proinflammatory state, 21 nondiabetic obese women with mean age 34+/-2 years (mean+/-s.e.m.) and BMI 32.5+/-1.2 kg/m2 were enrolled in a 12-week caloric restriction and light exercise-based weight loss program. Ten lean women served as controls. Reverse transcription-PCR of proinflammatory cytokines and adipocytokines as well as homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were determined before and after weight reduction. Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) binding to DNA and inhibitors of NF-kappaB (IkappaB-alpha and IkappaB-beta) obtained from peripheral MNCs were measured. Overall, subjects lost a mean of 4.0+/-0.4 kg (5.0+/-0.3% of their initial body weight) (P

Elevated total homocysteine concentrations and obesity are both associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, previous studies of weight reduction on serum homocysteine concentrations have obtained inconsistent reports. We investigated the effect of folic acid supplementation on serum homocysteine concentrations via a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Seventy-four obese women [age (mean +/- SEM) 41 +/- 1 years; body mass index, 29.6 +/- 0.5 kgs/m2] completed a 12 weeks weight reduction program with dietary advice and light exercise. They were also randomized to take either folic acid supplementation (5 mg daily, n = 36) or placebo (n = 38) groups. This program led to a weight reduction of 7.7% and 8.9% of initial weight for folic acid supplementation and placebo groups, respectively. Serum folate concentrations increased for 3 folds (p0.001) in the folic acid group. In the folic acid group, there was a trend of lower fasting serum homocysteine concentrations (7.6 +/- 0.2 vs. 7.3 +/- 0.3 micromol/L), but it did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.170). However, we found that serum homocysteine concentrations decreased significantly in those with higher baseline homocysteine concentrations (8.7 +/- 1.3 vs. 7.8 +/- 1.5 micromol/L, p = 0.004), while it did not change in those with lower baseline homocysteine concentrations (6.6 +/- 0.6 vs. 6.8 +/- 1.2 micromol/L, p = 0.334). Reduction of serum homocysteine concentrations did not correlate with elevation of serum folate concentrations (p = 0.646) in obese women with higher baseline homocysteine concentrations. In conclusion, serum homocysteine concentrations can be maintained in obese women during mild to moderate weight loss. Folic acid supplementation decreased serum homocysteine concentrations in those women who had higher serum homocysteine concentrations before participating in the weight reduction program.

Background The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effects of extra-carbohydrate supplementation before bedtime on energy metabolism and substrate oxidation in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods Sixteen cirrhotic patients and eight control subjects were included in this study. To compare the effect of energy metabolism and substrate oxidation with or without a bedtime snack, indirect calorimetry was assessed at 7 to 8 AM after overnight fasting, following either dinner (6 PM) or a bedtime snack (11 PM) the evening before. The bedtime snack contained about 50 g of carbohydrate. The energy expenditure and substrate oxidation were calculated from the indirect calorimetry measurement and 24-hour urinary nitrogen excretion. Results In those who fasted since dinner, the respiratory quotient (RQ) was significantly lower in cirrhotic patients than in control subjects. Also, the energy utilized by cirrhotic patients was derived primarily from fat oxidation (58%), whereas the main energy source for controls was carbohydrate (55%). An extra-carbohydrate supplement before bedtime did not influence the indirect calorimetry measurement in the controls, but there were significant increases in both RQ and carbon dioxide production (Vco2) in cirrhotic patients. The extra-carbohydrate supplementation did not significantly change the absolute resting energy expenditure utilization in control subjects; however, the utilization of carbohydrate significantly increased with a decrease in fat and protein oxidation in the cirrhotic patients. Conclusions These preliminary data suggest that extra-carbohydrate supplementation before bedtime can shorten nocturnal fasting with a more economic fuel utilization and effectively diminish fat and protein oxidation in cirrhotic patients.