Abstract
BackgroundObesity is characterized by low-grade chronic inflammation and an excess of adipose tissue. The ASC gene encodes a protein that is part of the NLRP3 inflammasome, a cytosolic multiprotein complex that is associated with inflammation and metabolic alterations. To our knowledge, there is no evidence regarding ASC gene activity in obese adults in response to lifestyle modifications.PurposeTo evaluate the effect of hypocaloric diet and moderate-intensity structured exercise intervention on ASC gene expression and inflammatory markers in obese adults.MethodsThirty-seven obese individuals aged 25 to 50 years were randomized to the hypocaloric diet exercise group or hypocaloric diet group. The participants underwent a 4-month follow-up. Electrical bioimpedance was used for body composition analysis. Biochemical data were analyzed by dry chemistry and insulin levels by ELISA. ASC gene expression from peripheral blood was performed using real-time PCR. Dietary data was collected through questionnaires and analyzed using the Nutritionist Pro™ software. Quantification of cytokines was conducted using Bio-Plex Pro™ Human cytokine. The Astrand-Ryhming test was used to estimate the maximum oxygen volume and design the moderate-intensity structured exercise program ~ 75% heart rate (HR)ResultsAfter the intervention, both study groups significantly improved body composition (decreased weight, fat mass, waist circumference and abdominal obesity, p < 0.05). Besides, the diet-exercise group significantly decreased ASC mRNA expression, MCP-1, and MIP-1β inflammatory cytokines compared to the diet group (p < 0.05). While in the diet group, MCP-1 and IL-8 exhibited significantly decreased levels (p < 0.05). In the diet-exercise group, a positive correlation between the atherogenic index and waist circumference was found (r = 0.822, p = 0.011), and a negative correlation was observed between the delta of ASC mRNA expression and IL-10 levels at the end of the intervention (r = − 0.627, p = 0.019).ConclusionLow-grade chronic inflammation was attenuated through individualized exercise prescription and our findings highlight the role of the ASC gene in the inflammation of obese adults.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT04315376. Registered 20 March 2020—retrospectively registered
Highlights
Obesity is characterized by low-grade chronic inflammation and an excess of adipose tissue
In the diet-exercise group, a positive correlation between the atherogenic index and waist circumference was found (r = 0.822, p = 0.011), and a negative correlation was observed between the delta of a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) mRNA expression and IL-10 levels at the end of the intervention (r = − 0.627, p = 0.019)
Low-grade chronic inflammation was attenuated through individualized exercise prescription and our findings highlight the role of the ASC gene in the inflammation of obese adults
Summary
Obesity is characterized by low-grade chronic inflammation and an excess of adipose tissue. There is no evidence regarding ASC gene activity in obese adults in response to lifestyle modifications. The development of obesity is related to the accumulation of large amounts of fatty acids in adipose cells, which leads to hyperplasia and hypertrophy, and to the growth of adipose tissue. In response to these modifications, adipocytes move away from tissues with numerous blood vessels, resulting in hypoxia and the subsequent necrosis of adipose tissue [5]. The damaged adipose tissue increases the infiltration of immune cells, the deficiency of immune activity, the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the amplified production of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) [6, 7]
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