Lifestyle-Induced Decrease in Fat Mass Improves Adiponectin Secretion in Obese Adults

Purpose Several studies have identified relationships between weight loss and adipokine levels; however, none have looked at the combined effect of aerobic exercise training with the consumption of a low- or a high-glycemic diet. We examined the effects of 12 wk of aerobic exercise combined with either a low-glycemic index diet (similar to 40 U) plus exercise (LoGIX) or a high-glycemic index diet (similar to 80 U) diet plus exercise (HiGIX) on plasma leptin and adiponectin (total and high molecular weight [HMW]) in 27 older obese adults (age = 65 +/- 0.5 yr, body mass index = 34.5 +/- 0.7 kg center dot m(-2)). Methods Insulin sensitivity was calculated from an oral glucose tolerance test. Fasting HMW adiponectin and leptin were quantified from plasma samples obtained before the insulin sensitivity index obtained from the oral glucose tolerance test. Glucose and insulin measures were obtained before and every 30 min during the test. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and computerized tomography were used to determine body composition and to quantify subcutaneous and visceral abdominal adiposity, respectively. Results Fasting leptin was significantly decreased in both groups (LoGIX: preintervention = 33.8 +/- 4.7, postintervention = 19.2 +/- 4.5; HiGIX: preintervention = 27.9 +/- 4.2, postintervention = 11.9 +/- 2.2 ng center dot mL(-1); P = 0.004), and HMW adiponectin was significantly increased (LoGIX: preintervention = 1606.9 +/- 34.6, postintervention = 3502.3 +/- 57; HiGIX: preintervention = 3704.8 +/- 38.1, postintervention = 4284.3 +/- 52.8 pg center dot mL(-1); P = 0.003) after the 12-wk intervention. Total body fat was reduced after both interventions. Visceral fat mass was inversely correlated with HMW adiponectin, whereas subcutaneous fat correlated with leptin. Conclusions The data suggest that exercise training, independent of dietary glycemic index, favorably alters HMW adiponectin and leptin secretion and that a reduction in visceral fat mass is a key factor regulating HMW adiponectin in older obese persons.