Abstract
BackgroundSignificant associations between visceral fat and alterations in plasma fatty acids have been identified in overweight individuals. However, there are scant data regarding the relationships of the visceral fat area (VFA) with the plasma fatty acid profiles and desaturase activities following weight loss. We investigated the effect of weight loss with mild calorie restriction on the circulating fatty acid profiles and desaturase activities in nondiabetic overweight subjects with high VFA.MethodsEighty overweight subjects with high VFA (L4 VFA ≥100 cm2) were randomized into the 12-week mild-calorie-restriction (300 kcal/day) or control groups.ResultsComparison of the percent of body weight changes between groups revealed that the weight-loss group had greater reductions in body weight. The VFA decreased by 17.7 cm2 from baseline in the weight-loss group (P < 0.001). At follow-up, the weight-loss group showed greater reductions in serum triglycerides, insulin, and HOMA-IR than the control group. Significantly greater reductions in total saturated fatty acids, palmitic acid, stearic acid, total monounsaturated fatty acids, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, eicosadienoic acid, and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid levels were detected in the weight-loss group compared with the control group after adjusting for baseline values. Following weight loss, C16 Δ9-desaturase activity was significantly decreased and Δ5-desaturase activity was significantly increased, and the changes were greater in the weight-loss group than in the control group.ConclusionsThe results suggest that mild weight loss improves abdominal obesity, overall fatty acid profiles, and desaturase activities; therefore, mild calorie restriction has potential health benefits related to obesity-related diseases in overweight subjects with high VFA.Trial registrationNCT02992639. Retrospectively registered 11 December 2016.
Highlights
Significant associations between visceral fat and alterations in plasma fatty acids have been identified in overweight individuals
No significant differences were observed in all clinical and biochemical parameters between the control and weight-loss groups; after the 12-week intervention, the body mass index (BMI), serum insulin levels, Homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-insulin resistance (IR)) score, and serum TG levels were significantly decreased in the weight-loss group compared with the control group (Table 1)
The estimated total calorie intake (TCI) of the weight-loss group at 12-week followup was, on average, 1949.4 kcal (%CHO:%PRO:%FAT = 59:19:22); and the types of dietary fats [saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)] ingested by the study participants did not demonstrate any changes during the intervention
Summary
Significant associations between visceral fat and alterations in plasma fatty acids have been identified in overweight individuals. There are scant data regarding the relationships of the visceral fat area (VFA) with the plasma fatty acid profiles and desaturase activities following weight loss. We investigated the effect of weight loss with mild calorie restriction on the circulating fatty acid profiles and desaturase activities in nondiabetic overweight subjects with high VFA. A visceral fat area (VFA) cutoff of 100 cm was established to predict the risk of obesity-related health risks, including insulin resistance (IR), metabolic syndrome, and diabetes, in Asian populations [1]. Compared with other weight-loss methods, calorie restriction tends to reduce more visceral than subcutaneous adipose tissue [4]. In endogenous fatty acid synthesis, C16 Δ9-desaturase (C16:1/C16:0) activity is known to be high in conditions of diabetes and abdominal obesity. In a Swedish study, Δ5-desaturase activity was found to be inversely associated with obesity and insulin resistance, whereas Δ6-desaturase activity demonstrated positive associations [10]
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