Effect of hypocaloric diet-induced weight loss in obese women on plasma apelin and adipose tissue expression of apelin and APJ

• Published in: European journal of endocrinology Vol. 158; no. 6; pp. 905 - 910
• Main Authors: Castan-Laurell, Isabelle, Vítkova, Michaela, Daviaud, Danièle, Dray, Cédric, Kováčiková, Michaela, Kovacova, Zuzana, Hejnova, Jindriska, Stich, Vladimir, Valet, Philippe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Colchester BioScientifica 01-06-2008; Portland Press; Oxford Univ. Press; BioScientifica Ltd
• Subjects: Adipose Tissue - metabolism; Adult; Apelin; Apelin Receptors; Biological and medical sciences; Cellular Biology; Clinical Studies; Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted - methods; Endocrinopathies; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - blood; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - metabolism; Life Sciences; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Middle Aged; Obesity; Obesity - blood; Obesity - diet therapy; Obesity - metabolism; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled - blood; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled - metabolism; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Vertebrates: endocrinology; Weight Loss; Human; Obesity; Adipose tissue; Nutrition; Nutrition disorder; Weight loss; Gene expression; Feeding; Blood plasma; Diet; Adult; Female; Woman; Endocrinology; Nutritional status
• ISSN: 0804-4643; 1479-683X
• DOI: 10.1530/EJE-08-0039

ObjectiveApelin is a novel adipokine acting on APJ receptor, regulated by insulin and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in adipose tissue (AT). Plasma apelin levels are increased in obese hyperinsulinemic subjects. The aim was to investigate whether the hypocaloric diet associated with weight loss modifies the elevated plasma apelin levels and the expression of apelin and APJ receptor in AT in obese women.Design and methodsFasting plasma levels of apelin and TNF-α as well as mRNA levels of apelin and APJ in AT were measured before and after a 12-week hypocaloric weight-reducing diet in 20 obese women (body mass index (BMI) before diet 32.2±6.4 kg/m2). Twelve healthy women with a BMI of 20.7±0.6 kg/m2 served as reference.ResultsPlasma levels of apelin and TNF-α were higher in obese compared with lean controls. The hypocaloric diet resulted in a significant decrease of BMI to 29.8±6.3 kg/m2, plasma insulin (8.16±0.73 to 6.58±0.66 mU/l), apelin (369±25 pg/ml to 257±12 pg/ml), TNF-α levels (0.66±0.04 pg/ml to 0.56±0.04 pg/ml), and AT mRNAs of apelin and APJ. In addition, changes in AT mRNA apelin were related to changes in AT mRNA APJ levels.ConclusionThe hypocaloric diet associated with weight loss reduces the increased plasma and AT expression of apelin in obese women. This reduced apelin expression in AT could contribute to decreased circulating apelin levels.