Relationship of plasma levels of C‐reactive protein and adiponectin and change of lean body mass in obese postmenopausal women supplemented with safflower oil

Abstract

Postmenopausal obese women may lose up to 500 g of lean body mass each year after the onset of menopause. Supplementation with linoleic acid‐rich safflower oil (8 g tid) for 16 weeks decreased C‐reactive protein (CRP) while increasing lean body mass and adiponectin levels1. This study evaluated the relationship of baseline levels and magnitude of change of CRP and adiponectin with change of lean body mass in obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes supplemented with safflower oil. After controlling for baseline levels of lean body mass, there was no relationship between baseline CRP and change of lean body mass. However, there was a significant inverse association between change in (log) CRP and the change in lean body mass meaning a 10% decrease in CRP was associated with a 181 g increase in lean body mass (95% CI: 12–351, p=0.04). There was a significant association between baseline adiponectin and the change in lean body mass: For every one unit increase in baseline adiponectin there was a 222 g increase in lean body mass (95% CI: 26–420, p=0.03). We found no association between the change of adiponectin and change of lean body mass. Next, we hope to determine the interactions between safflower oil, CRP, adiponectin on improved muscle function in postmenopausal women. Supported by an unrestricted gift (Cognis, Corp), the Ohio Agr. Res. Dev. Ctr. & the Kennedy Professorship.