Adipocytokine and appetite-regulating hormone response to weight loss in adolescents with obesity: Impact of weight loss magnitude

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the magnitude of weight loss (WL) and serum concentrations of the main adipocytokines and appetite-regulating hormones in adolescents with obesity. Methods: After completion of informed consent,108 adolescents with obesity (14-19 y of age; postpubertal) were submitted to clinical, nutritional, psychological, physical exercise, and physiotherapy support for 1 y. Body composition (BC) and plasma levels of neuropeptides (neuropeptide Y [NPY], agouti-related peptide [AgRP], and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone [alpha-MSH]) and leptin were measured at baseline and post-intervention. Results: After therapy, adolescents who lost <10% body weight and <10% body weight (were compared. Both groups presented improvements in BC and reduced leptin. The Delta alpha-MSH, Delta alpha-MSH/AgRP ratio, and Delta alpha-MSH/ NPY ratio were lower and AgRP and NPY variations were higher in the low weight loss group. The leptin concentration was close to normal in the high weight loss only. The AWeight, Delta alpha-MSH and Aleptin were associated with body fat loss by multiple linear regressions for all samples. Conclusion: Weight loss >10% seems to reverse obesity-induced hyperleptinemia while stabilizing the neuro-peptides that control appetite in adolescents with obesity. We were able to produce a prognostic mathematical model to predict body fat loss using weight, leptin, and alpha-MSH variations. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier Inc.

Automated summary

The study investigated the relationship between weight loss magnitude and serum levels of adipocytokines and appetite-regulating hormones in obese adolescents. Weight loss >10% appeared to reverse obesity-induced hyperleptinemia while stabilizing appetite-controlling neuropeptides. A mathematical model using weight, leptin, and alpha-MSH variations was developed to predict body fat loss.