Functional changes in adipose tissue in a randomised controlled trial of physical activity

摘要

Background A sedentary lifestyle predisposes to cardiometabolic diseases. Lifestyle changes such as increased physical activity improve a range of cardiometabolic risk factors. The objective of this study was to examine whether functional changes in adipose tissue were related to these improvements. Methods Seventy-three sedentary, overweight (mean BMI 29.9?±?3.2?kg/m2) and abdominally obese, but otherwise healthy men and women (67.6?±?0.5?years) from a randomised controlled trial of physical activity on prescription over a 6-month period were included (control n?=?43, intervention n?=?30). Detailed examinations were carried out at baseline and at follow-up, including fasting blood samples, a comprehensive questionnaire and subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies for fatty acid composition analysis (n?=?73) and quantification of mRNA expression levels of 13 candidate genes (n?=?51), including adiponectin, leptin and inflammatory cytokines. Results At follow-up, the intervention group had a greater increase in exercise time (+137 min/week) and a greater decrease in body fat mass (?1.5?kg) compared to the control subjects (changes of 0 min/week and ?0.5?kg respectively). Circulating concentrations of adiponectin were unchanged, but those of leptin decreased significantly more in the intervention group (?1.8 vs ?1.1?ng/mL for intervention vs control, P?