Short-Term Physiological Effects of a Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet: Effects on Adiponectin Levels and Inflammatory States.

Giuseppe Cibelli,Alessio Asmundo,Nunzio Di Nunno,Antonio Finaldi,Francesco Sessa,Ersilia Nigro,Vincenzo Monda,Gaetano Corso,Rita Polito,Annarita Lovino,Anna Valenzano,Giovanni Messina

doi:10.3390/ijms21093228

Abstract

Adipose tissue is a multifunctional organ involved in many physiological and metabolic processes through the production of adipokines and, in particular, adiponectin. Caloric restriction is one of the most important strategies against obesity today. The very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) represents a type of caloric restriction with very or extremely low daily food energy consumption. This study aimed to investigate the physiological effects of a VLCKD on anthropometric and biochemical parameters such as adiponectin levels, as well as analyzing oligomeric profiles and cytokine serum levels in obese subjects before and after a VLCKD. Twenty obese subjects were enrolled. At baseline and after eight weeks of intervention, anthropometric and biochemical parameters, such as adiponectin levels, were recorded. Our findings showed a significant change in the anthropometric and biochemical parameters of these obese subjects before and after a VLCKD. We found a negative correlation between adiponectin and lipid profile, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), which confirmed the important involvement of adiponectin in metabolic and inflammatory diseases. We demonstrated the beneficial short-term effects of a VLCKD not only in the treatment of obesity but also in the establishment of obesity-correlated diseases.

Highlights

Adipose tissue (AT) is a multifunctional organ involved in many physiological and metabolic processes
An increase in lean mass is shown; weight loss would be mainly based on a lower amount of body fat [14]. In light of these literature data, this study aimed to investigate the physiological effects of a very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) on anthropometric and biochemical parameters such as pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as on total adiponectin levels and its oligomeric profile
The anthropometric and biochemical parameters of the VLCKD obese participants before and after eight weeks of nutritional intervention are reported in Table 1 weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass (FM), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were statistically reduced in obese participants after the VLCKD

Summary

Introduction

Adipose tissue (AT) is a multifunctional organ involved in many physiological and metabolic processes. It is a site for energy storage and an endocrine organ, composed of adipocytes, and it is populated by several immune cells such as T lymphocytes and macrophages. Through the production of adipokines and, in particular, adiponectin, AT is involved in many metabolic and inflammatory functions, as well as thermoregulation. White visceral fat adipocytes are active in the release of adipokines, hormones involved in several metabolic and inflammatory processes, as well as in the normal homeostasis of many organs and tissues. Through the direct or indirect release of this adipocytokine, visceral fat controls appetite and energy balance, immunity, angiogenesis, insulin sensitivity, and lipid metabolism [3]

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