Liver function parameters, cholesterol, and phospholipid α-linoleic acid are associated with adipokine levels in overweight and obese adults

• Published in: Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 34; no. 5; pp. 375 - 382
• Main Authors: Gray, Belinda, Steyn, Frederik, Davies, Peter Stephen Wynford, Vitetta, Luis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.05.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: acid deposition; Adipokines; adiponectin; Adiposity; Adult; adults; Anthropometry; Biological and medical sciences; blood lipids; Body Mass Index; C-reactive protein; C-Reactive Protein - metabolism; cardiovascular diseases; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, HDL - blood; Cholesterol, VLDL - blood; chronic diseases; comorbidity; correlation; creatinine; Creatinine - blood; electrolytes; enzymes; Fatty acids; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; glucose; high density lipoprotein cholesterol; Human; Humans; insulin; Insulin - blood; kidneys; leptin; Leptin - blood; linoleic acid; Linoleic Acids - blood; liver; Liver - enzymology; Liver - physiopathology; Liver enzymes; liver function; low density lipoprotein cholesterol; Male; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; metabolic syndrome; metabolism; Middle Aged; Obesity; Obesity - blood; Obesity - physiopathology; phospholipids; Phospholipids - blood; therapeutics; triacylglycerols; Triglycerides - blood; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Human; CRP; Obesity; T2DM; AST; WHtR; ALT; Adipokines; WC; Fatty acids; Cholesterol; HDL; CV; GGT; LDL; ALA; VLDL; Liver enzymes; WHpR; BMI; C-reactive protein; high-density lipoprotein; waist:hip ratio; γ-glutamyl transpeptidase; α linoleic acid; alanine transaminase; type 2 diabetes mellitus; coefficients of variation; waist circumference; body mass index; waist:height ratio; low-density lipoprotein; very low–density lipoprotein; aspartate transaminase; Nutrition; Digestive system; Enzyme; Liver; Nutrition disorder; Polyunsaturated fatty acid; Phospholipid; Lipids; Adipokine; Linoleic acid; Overweight; Liver function; n-6 fatty acid; Unsaturated fatty acid; Nutritional status
• ISSN: 0271-5317; 1879-0739; 1879-0739
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2014.04.001

Dysregulation of adipose hormones in obesity has been associated with the hastened development of metabolic syndrome and associated chronic disease sequalae including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study aims to identify common biochemical and anthropometric markers that impact adipose hormones, including adiponectin and leptin. Based on previous literature, it was hypothesized that these would be adversely impacted by liver function parameters, and adiponectin levels would be positively correlated with phospholipid Ω-3 fatty acids. Forty nondiabetic adult subjects (body mass index, ≥25.0 kg/m2) were recruited. Fasting plasma samples were taken to assess adipokine levels, glucose metabolism, electrolytes, liver enzymes, and blood lipids. Basic anthropometric measurements were also recorded. Adiponectin levels were positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and negatively correlated with anthropometric measures, insulin, liver enzymes, triglycerides, and very low–density lipoprotein cholesterol but not body mass index. Conversely, plasma leptin levels were positively correlated with anthropometric measures, C-reactive protein, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and plasma phospholipid proportions of Ω-3 α linoleic acid but inversely correlated with creatinine levels. These results support other data regarding correlations between adiponectin and relative adipose distribution. Correlations with specific liver enzymes may indicate that adiponectin levels are tied to fatty acid deposition in the liver; however, liver/kidney damage though further mechanistic clarification is required. Leptin levels were associated with measures of adiposity but not liver enzymes. Each of these variables, along with blood lipids, may serve as potential future therapeutic targets for the prevention and management of obesity and related comorbidities.