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Effects of short-term carbohydrate or fat overfeeding on energy expenditure and plasma leptin concentrations in healthy female subjects

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To determine the effects of excess carbohydrate or fat intake on plasma leptin concentrations and energy expenditure. Ten healthy lean females were studied: (a) during a 3 day isoenergetic diet (ISO); (b) during 3 day carbohydrate overfeeding (CHO OF); and (c) during 3 day fat overfeeding (FAT OF). During each test, basal metabolic rate, the energy expended during mild physical activity and recovery, and 24 h energy expenditure (24 h EE) were measured with indirect calorimetry. The concentrations of glucose and lactate were monitored in subcutaneous interstitial fluid over a 24 h period using microdialysis. Plasma hormone and substrate concentrations were measured in a blood sample collected in the morning of the fourth day. CHO OF increased plasma leptin concentrations by 28%, and 24 h EE by 7%. Basal metabolic rate and the energy expended during physical activity were not affected. FAT OF did not significantly change plasma leptin concentrations or energy expenditure. There was no relationship between changes in leptin concentrations and changes in energy expenditure, suggesting that leptin is not involved in the stimulation of energy metabolism during overfeeding. Interstitial subcutaneous glucose and lactate concentrations were not altered by CHO OF and FAT OF. CHO OF, but not FAT OF, increases energy expenditure and leptin concentration.
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Effects of short-term carbohydrate or fat
overfeeding on energy expenditure and plasma
leptin concentrations in healthy female subjects
M Dirlewanger
1
, V di Vetta
1
, E Guenat
1
, P Battilana
1
, G Seematter
1
, P Schneiter
1
,EJe
Âquier
1
and L Tappy
1
*
1
Institute of Physiology, University of Lausanne, 7 rue du Bugnon, 1005 Lausanne Switzerland
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of excess carbohydrate or fat intake on plasma leptin concentrations and energy
expenditure.
DESIGN: Ten healthy lean females were studied: (a) during a 3 day isoenergetic diet (ISO); (b) during 3 day
carbohydrate overfeeding (CHO OF); and (c) during 3 day fat overfeeding (FAT OF). During each test, basal metabolic
rate, the energy expended during mild physical activity and recovery, and 24 h energy expenditure (24 h EE) were
measured with indirect calorimetry. The concentrations of glucose and lactate were monitored in subcutaneous
interstitial ¯uid over a 24 h period using microdialysis. Plasma hormone and substrate concentrations were measured
in a blood sample collected in the morning of the fourth day.
RESULTS: CHO OF increased plasma leptin concentrations by 28%, and 24 h EE by 7%. Basal metabolic rate and the
energy expended during physical activity were not affected. FAT OF did not signi®cantly change plasma leptin
concentrations or energy expenditure. There was no relationship between changes in leptin concentrations and
changes in energy expenditure, suggesting that leptin is not involved in the stimulation of energy metabolism during
overfeeding. Interstitial subcutaneous glucose and lactate concentrations were not altered by CHO OF and FAT OF.
CONCLUSIONS: CHO OF, but not FAT OF, increases energy expenditure and leptin concentration.
International Journal of Obesity (2000) 24, 1413±1418
Keywords: leptin; 24 h EE; basal metabolic rate; physical activity; insulin; glucose; microdialysis; overfeeding
Introduction
Maintenance of a constant body weight depends on
the balance between energy intake and energy expen-
diture. Such a balance is known to occur not on a day-
to-day basis but on average over extended periods of
time. Chronic ingestion of energy in excess of energy
expenditure will invariably result in energy storage,
essentially as fat tissue with only a modest stimulation
of energy expenditure.
1
The magnitude of the weight
gain shows considerable interindividual variations,
possibly due in part to genetic factors.
2±4
This obser-
vation of interindividual variations in net energy
deposition during a ®xed energy overload suggests
that overfeeding triggers a variable increase in energy
expenditure. In support of this hypothesis, it has
recently been observed that overfeeding stimulates
24 h energy expenditure (24 h EE), an increase nega-
tively correlated with weight gain.
5
The mechanisms
by which energy expenditure increases during over-
feeding remains unknown.
Overfeeding has been shown to increase leptin gene
expression in adipose tissue and to increase plasma
leptin concentrations.
6
Increased plasma leptin levels
may contribute to limiting weight gain by exerting a
negative feedback on energy intake and by stimulating
energy expenditure.
7±9
This latter effect of leptin
remains, however, poorly documented. In rats, an
increase in energy expenditure in response to exo-
genous leptin administration was observed only after
several days.
10
In contrast with this slow activation of
energy expenditure, leptin administration effectively
prevented the decrease in energy expenditure nor-
mally observed rapidly in food-restricted animals.
11
It also prevented the drop in brown adipose tissue
activity when administered to fasted rats.
12
No data
are available regarding the effects of leptin on energy
expenditure in humans. In non-human primates, how-
ever, leptin administration was shown to activate the
sympathetic nervous system,
13
which may in turn
stimulate energy expenditure.
There is considerable evidence that a high fat
content of the diet is a factor favouring passive over-
consumption and the development of obesity in both
animals and man.
14
It has recently been observed that
plasma leptin concentration decreases in humans
switched from a normal to a high-fat diet.
15
This
decrease in plasma leptin concentration may favour
excessive food intake and lower energy expenditure.
*Correspondence: L Tappy, Institut de physiologie, 7 rue du
Bugnon, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland.
E-mail: Luc.Tappy@iphysiol.unil.ch
Received 6 October 1999; revised 4 February 2000; accepted
22 May 2000
International Journal of Obesity (2000) 24, 1413±1418
ß2000 Macmillan Publishers Ltd All rights reserved 0307±0565/00 $15.00
www.nature.com/ijo
The metabolic factors which relate energy and macro-
nutrient intake to leptin secretion by adipose tissue
remain incompletely understood. Insulin concentra-
tions may be a major factor linking carbohydrate
intake to leptin secretion.
16 ± 18
One mechanism by
which insulin may increase leptin production is via its
action to increase glucose utilization by adipose
tissue.
19
More speci®cally, stimulation of the oxida-
tive, but not non-oxidative glucose pathway appears to
be associated with leptin production.
19
Catechol-
amines
20
and cortisol
21
have also been shown to
modulate leptin secretion, and changes in the concen-
trations of these hormones during dietary manipula-
tions may participate in the regulation of plasma
leptin concentrations.
In order to further assess the speci®c effects of
nutrients during overfeeding on plasma leptin concen-
tration and on energy expenditure, we studied a group
of healthy lean women during isoenergetic conditions
and during a 3 day period with an excess of 40%
energy above requirements administered either as fat
or as carbohydrate. Energy expenditure was assessed
under each condition, and was related to changes in
plasma leptin concentration. In addition, the concen-
tration of glucose and lactate in subcutaneous adipose
tissue was monitored over 24 h periods by means of
in vivo microdialysis.
Subjects and methods
Subjects
Ten healthy lean women were selected to take part in
this study. Their percentage fat was determined from
skinfold thickness measurements.
22
Their anthropo-
metric characteristics are shown in Table 1. All were
in good physical condition, were not presently taking
any medication, and had no family history of diabetes
mellitus or metabolic disorders. The experimental
protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee
of Lausanne Medical School and all participants
provided informed, written consent.
Dietary conditions
At inclusion, resting energy expenditure was mea-
sured by indirect calorimetry during a 45 ± 60 min
period, using a ventilated hood. Twenty-four-hour
energy requirement was estimated to amount to rest-
ing energy expenditure (in MJ=day) multiplied by 1.3.
The subject was placed on a controlled diet during
three periods of 3 days. On one occasion (isoenergetic
diet, ISO) they received a diet containing 50% of total
energy as carbohydrate, 35% as lipid and 15% as
protein (which consisted mainly of a liquid formula
(Fresubin energy, Fresenius, Stans, CH), supplemen-
ted with orange juice, yoghurt and cream), to be
consumed at speci®ed times. They were instructed
not to consume any other food or drink. Subjects were
carefully instructed to strictly adhere to the dietary
recommendations but no assessment of compliance
could be performed during these 2 days spent as
outpatients. Food was administered under direct con-
trol on the third day which the subjects spent in the
respiratory chamber (see below). On a second occa-
sion, they received an hyperenergetic diet providing
40% excess energy as carbohydrate (carbohydrate
overfeeding: CHO OF). For this purpose, the isoener-
getic diet was supplemented with bread, rice, biscuits
and sugar. On a third occasion, they received the same
40% excess of energy as fat (fat overfeeding: FAT OF
(isocaloric diet supplemented with cheese, potato
chips and chocolate)). The average energy intake
and macronutrient composition corresponding to
these three conditions are shown in Table 2. The
order of administration of each diet was randomized
and each condition was separated by at least a 7
day interval. All studies were performed during the
follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.
Experimental protocol
In the morning of the third day of each dietary
condition, the subjects came to the Institute of Phy-
siology after an overnight fast. A microdialysis cath-
eter (CMA 100, CMA, Stockholm, Sweden) was
inserted into the periumbilical subcutaneous adipose
tissue and was perfused with 0.3 ml=min phosphate-
buffered saline by means of a portable infusion pump
(CMA 106). Thereafter, the subjects moved to a
respiratory chamber and their energy expenditure
was monitored by indirect calorimetry from 8:00 am
to 7:00 am the next day.
23
During this 23 h period,
they received a breakfast at 8:30 am, lunch at 12:00
mid-day and dinner at 6:00 pm, and they exercised on
a treadmill at 4 km=h with a slope of 3% between
10:00 am and 10:30 am. They were required to lay in
bed with the light off between 11:00 pm and 7:00 am
the next day. Dialysate was collected as 1 h fractions
between 8:00 am and 11:00 pm, and as 4 h fractions
between 11:00 pm and 7:00 am the next day. A urine
collection was performed for analysis of urinary
nitrogen excretion. The next day, basal energy expen-
Table 1 Characteristics of the subjects
Age Weight Height Body mass Fat mass
(y) (kg) (m) index (kg=m
2
) (%)
22.4 60.9 2.4 1.67 0.03 21.92.2 27.2 1.4
(20 ± 26) (54 ± 78) (1.52 ± 1.79) (19.3 ± 25.3) (21.5 ± 35.4)
Values are expressed as mean s.d. (range).
Table 2 Diet compositions
Energy intake Carbohydrate Fat Protein
(MJ=day) (%) (%) (%)
ISO 7.5 0.6 50 35 15
CHO OF 10.3 0.4 64 25 11
FAT OF 10.50.5 35 55 11
Energy expenditure and leptin during overfeeding
M Dirlewanger
et al
1414
International Journal of Obesity
diture was measured by indirect calorimetry during
60 min (ventilated hood) with the subject fasted over-
night and lying quietly, and two blood samples were
obtained 10 min apart for determination of basal
hormone and substrate concentrations.
Analytical procedure
Plasma glucose concentrations were measured with a
Beckman glucose analyzer (Beckman Instruments,
Fullerton, CA); plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate concen-
trations were measured enzymatically using a kit from
Boehringer Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany. Plasma
leptin (kit from Linco, St Charles, MO), insulin (kit
from Biochem Immunosystems GmbH, Freiburg, Ger-
many), glucagon (kit from Linco), and cortisol (kit
from DPC, Los Angeles, CA) were determined by
radioimmunoassay. Plasma epinephrine and norepine-
phrine concentrations were determined with HPLC
using electrochemical detection.
24
Calculation
Twenty-four-hours EE and basal energy expenditure
were calculated from
_
VO
2
,
_
VCO
2
and urinary nitrogen
using the equations of Livesey and Elia.
25
Suprabasal
energy expenditure was calculated as (24 h EE) ÿ
(basal energy expenditure).
The effect of exercise on energy expenditure
(energy for physical activities) was assessed by cal-
culating energy expenditure between 10:00 and
11:00 am, ie during the 30 min exercise plus the
30 min recovery period.
Statistical analysis
Plasma hormone and substrate concentrations and
energy expenditure data were compared with
ANOVA and paired t-tests with Bonferroni adjust-
ment. Correlations between changes in plasma leptin
concentration and 24 h EE were assessed using linear
regression analysis.
Results
Compared to an isoenergetic diet, carbohydrate over-
feeding led the next day in the postabsorptive state to
a 28% increase in plasma leptin concentrations, a 24%
decrease in plasma non-esteri®ed fatty acid concen-
trations and a 59% decrease in plasma b-hydroxy-
butyrate concentration, but did not change the plasma
concentrations of major glucoregulatory hormones,
catecholamines and glucose. Fat overfeeding did not
signi®cantly affect any of these parameters (Table 3).
Figure 1 shows the glucose and lactate concentrations
in subcutaneous tissue interstitial ¯uid over 24 h
periods. Both glucose and lactate showed three
major peaks at 9:00 ± 10:00 am, 1:00 pm and
7:00 pm, corresponding to postprandial periods. No
signi®cant difference was observed between the iso-
energetic and the carbohydrate or fat overfeeding
conditions.
Twenty-four-hour EE was increased by 7% after
carbohydrate overfeeding compared to isoenergetic
conditions (P<0.05). Basal energy expenditure and
the energy expended during physical activity were not
affected by carbohydrate overfeeding. Suprabasal 24 h
EE was increased by 31%, but the difference did not
reach statistical signi®cance (P0.07). Fat overfeed-
ing did not signi®cantly affect any component of EE
(Figure 2). There was no correlation between changes
in plasma leptin concentrations and changes in energy
expenditure either expressed as absolute values (car-
bohydrate overfeeding r
2
0.038, fat overfeeding
r
2
0.040), or relative values (r
2
0.074 and 0.051).
Table 3 Basal plasma substrate and hormone concentrations
Isocaloric Carbohydrate Fat
diet overfeeding overfeeding
Glucose (mmol=1) 4.120.07 4.40 0.11 4.30 0.04
Non esteri®ed fatty 0.495 0.031 0.374 0.035* 0.458 0.030
acids (mmol=1)
b-hydroxybutyrate 0.143 0.023 0.077 0.015* 0.148 0.030
(mmol=1)
Insulin (mU=1) 9.8 1.2 10.7 1.4 10.0 1.2
Glucagon (ng=1) 49 3484474
Cortisol (nmol=1) 50978 459 77 51986
Leptin (mg=1) 9.81.7 12.5 1.6* 10.9 1.4
Epinephrine 26 4263263
(pmol=1)
Norepinephrine 20522 207 17 199 13
(pmol=1)
*P<0.05 vs isocaloric diet.
Figure 1 Interstitial glucose and lactate concentrations in sub-
cutaneous adipose tissue in isonergetic conditions (ISO) or
during carbohydrate (CHO OF) or fat (FAT OF) overfeeding.
Energy expenditure and leptin during overfeeding
M Dirlewanger
et al
1415
International Journal of Obesity
There was also no relationship between changes in
leptin concentrations and suprabasal energy expendi-
ture (r
2
0.186 during carbohydrate overfeeding and
0.249 during fat overfeeding).
Discussion
Several observations performed in humans have
demonstrated that leptin secretion and leptin gene
expression in adipocytes are regulated by nutrient
balances. In a study performed in healthy humans, it
was observed that massive overfeeding (120 kcal=kg
body weight) increased plasma leptin concentrations
within a 12 h period; prolonged overfeeding leading to
a 10% weight gain further increased leptin concentra-
tions up to three-fold. This increase was positively
correlated with body fat gain, suggesting that it was
primarily attributable to changes in body composi-
tion.
6
However, short-term fasting led to substantial
reductions of plasma leptin concentrations within
24 h.
26
In both cases, plasma leptin concentrations
rapidly returned to normal levels after the intervention
periods.
The mechanisms responsible for changes in plasma
leptin concentration during over- or underfeeding
remain incompletely elucidated. The drop in plasma
leptin concentration during fasting is concomitant
with the rise in ketone body concentrations, but is
not elicited by infusion of exogenous ketone bodies.
26
The fasting-induced drop in plasma leptin levels
coincides with decreases in both plasma glucose and
insulin concentrations and is prevented by glucose
infusion.
27
However, overfeeding increases both
plasma insulin and glucose concentrations and it is
likely that the high plasma insulin levels stimulate
leptin gene expression and secretion of leptin by the
adipocytes. Insulin-stimulated glucose oxidation in
adipocytes has been shown to regulate leptin secretion
and therefore is also a candidate for stimulating leptin
secretion during carbohydrate overfeeding.
19
In this
study, we measured interstitial glucose and lactate
concentrations in subcutaneous adipose tissue
throughout a 24 h period. Fat or carbohydrate over-
feeding did not alter these two parameters. However,
it has to be kept in mind that interstitial glucose
concentration does not provide information on the
¯ux of glucose into adipocytes, which can be expected
to have been increased during carbohydrate overfeed-
ing. It is therefore likely that the absence of an
increased interstitial lactate concentration during
carbohydrate overfeeding was due to stimulation of
glucose utilization and oxidation in the adipose tissue,
with concomitant reduction of relative non-oxidative
glucose disposal. In a recent study, it was observed
that leptin concentration decreased in women who
switched from a high-carbohydrate to a high-fat iso-
energetic diet, and that this effect may have been
related to decreased plasma glucose and insulin con-
centrations.
15
In the present study we observe that a
short period (3 days) of carbohydrate overfeeding
leads to a moderate 25% increase in plasma leptin
concentration. This effect of carbohydrate overfeeding
occurred without changes in interstitial adipose tissue
concentrations of glucose or lactate. Postabsorptive
plasma insulin, glucagon, cortisol and catecholamine
concentrations, measured the morning after the 3 day
tests, were not signi®cantly altered by the three nutri-
tional conditions. For practical reasons, it was not
possible to obtain blood samples during the experi-
mental days within the respiration chamber. Since
carbohydrate overfeeding is known to stimulate
insulin secretion, it is likely that hyperinsulinaemia
was responsible for the increase in plasma leptin
concentration.
Interestingly, fat overfeeding failed to stimulate
leptin secretion; this condition does not stimulate
insulin secretion, which probably accounts for the
absence of leptin response. These results are consis-
tent with the hypothesis of Havel et al, which suggests
that high-fat feeding leads to an excessive sponta-
neous intake of energy due to a failure to elicit leptin-
mediated suppression of food intake.
15
Carbohydrate, but not fat overfeeding, led to a
modest 7% (about 580 kJ=day) increase in 24 h EE.
Of this 580 kJ=day increase in energy expenditure,
about 150 kJ (5% of the energy content of excess
carbohydrate) can be attributed to the obligatory
thermic effect of the extra amount of carbohydrate
intake. The rest remains unaccounted for. Basal
energy expenditure and the energy expended during
an imposed bout of exercise and its recovery period
were not altered, indicating no change in the energetic
Figure 2 Twenty-four-hour energy expenditure (24 h EE), basal
energy expenditure (BEE), suprabasal energy expenditure
(suprabasal EE), and thermic effect of exercise (TEE) in isoener-
getic conditions (ISO) and during carbohydrate (CHO OF) or fat
(FAT OF) overfeeding. TEE was measured over 1 h, correspond-
ing to 30 min exercise 30 min recovery.
Energy expenditure and leptin during overfeeding
M Dirlewanger
et al
1416
International Journal of Obesity
ef®ciency of exercise. This modest increase in 24 h
EE may be attributed to the stimulation of the facul-
tative components of dietary thermogenesis, or to an
increase in the amount of energy expended in non-
exercise physical activity. A recent report indicates
that 8-weeks of overfeeding increases total energy
expenditure while leaving basal energy expenditure,
the thermic effect of food and the energy cost and
physical activity unchanged.
5
In this study, this
increase in energy expenditure was attributed to
non-exercise physical activity, that is to voluntary
movements not associated with exercise, but occur-
ring throughout the day. It was also observed that this
component of 24 h EE was inversely related to weight
gain. It is therefore possible that carbohydrate over-
feeding stimulates non-exercise physical activity
through mechanisms which remain to be speci®ed.
In contrast with the effects of carbohydrate over-
feeding, fat overfeeding failed to increase signi®cantly
any component of energy expenditure. This may be
partially explained by the fact that the obligatory
energy cost of storing and processing fat is low
compared to carbohydrate.
28
This difference may
also be due to the lack of activation of sympathetic
nervous system activity or to a lower stimulation of
thyroid hormone secretion.
Several observations suggest that leptin administra-
tion increases energy expenditure when administered
in fasted and leptin-de®cient animals,
12,29
as well as
in normal animals
10
(although prolonged periods of
leptin administration are required in the latter case). In
humans, a relationship between plasma leptin concen-
trations and energy expenditure has been observed.
30
Our present observation indicates that carbohydrate
overfeeding increases fasting leptin concentrations,
but not basal energy expenditure. There was also no
correlation between changes in fasting leptin concen-
tration and in 24 h EE. Since we did not measure
plasma leptin concentrations throughout the day, we
cannot exclude a relationship post-prandial leptin
concentration and suprabasal energy expenditure.
However, our results do not support the hypothesis
of a leptin-driven stimulation of energy expenditure
during carbohydrate overfeeding in humans. These
conclusions are consistent with the recent report that a
9-y-old leptin-de®cient girl had normal basal energy
expenditure in regard of her body composition which
did not increase after 12 months of leptin replacement
therapy.
31
We cannot, however, discard the possibility
that the important fat mass loss would have resulted in
a decrease in energy expenditure which was prevented
by leptin treatment. In a recent study,
5
Levine and
collaborators observed that 24 hour energy expendi-
ture was stimulated in healthy lean volunteers sub-
mitted to a period of overfeeding. This stimulation
corresponded essentially to an increase in suprabasal
energy expenditure, while the resting energy expen-
diture, the thermic effect of food and the energetic
ef®ciency of skeletal muscle work were all
unchanged, and was attributed by these authors to
`non-volitional physical activity'. Furthermore, stimu-
lation of this component of energy expenditure
showed considerable interindividual variability and
was inversely correlated with weight gain. Further
studies will be required to assess whether increased
leptin production contributes to stimulate this compo-
nent of energy expenditure during carbohydrate over-
feeding.
In conclusion, our present observations show that
carbohydrate, but not fat overfeeding, leads to modest
increases in both plasma leptin concentrations and
24 h EE but no correlation was found between these
two responses. Stimulation of leptin secretion
occurred without alterations of interstitial glucose
concentrations in adipose tissue. Hyperinsulinaemia
or increased insulin-mediated glucose utilization in
adipose tissue is likely to be involved. Stimulation
of 24 h EE by carbohydrate overfeeding was not
explained by alterations of basal energy expenditure
or the energetic ef®ciency of exercise; it can be
attributed to either stimulation of facultative dietary
thermogenesis or to stimulation of the amount of
energy expended in non-exercise physical activity.
The present data do not support the hypothesis that
stimulation of energy expenditure after carbohydrate
overfeeding is mediated by leptin secretion in humans.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by a grant from the Swiss
National Science Foundation (no. 32-45387.95, E.
Je
Âquier). The authors thank Fresenius AG (Stans,
Switzerland) for having provided the nutrition
solutions.
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... This consists of increasing dietary CHO and calories to levels equal to or higher than maintenance in a timely and scheduled manner within the planning [36]. Generally, in bodybuilding, the protocols used last 24 h, once or twice a week [95], although the trials that have studied refeed protocols used them for at least three days per week [96,97]. The supposed objective of this strategy is to temporarily increase the circulating leptin levels and stimulate the metabolic rate [36]. ...
... The supposed objective of this strategy is to temporarily increase the circulating leptin levels and stimulate the metabolic rate [36]. There is evidence that leptin is sensitive to brief periods of refeeding with CHO, but not with fats (FAT) [96]. Dirlewanger et al. observed that, after three days of refeeding with CHO, leptin had increased by 28% and daily energy expenditure by 7%. ...
... Dirlewanger et al. observed that, after three days of refeeding with CHO, leptin had increased by 28% and daily energy expenditure by 7%. However, this protocol consisted of a caloric overingestion of 40% above maintenance for three days to achieve only a 7% increase in energy expenditure [96], which returns to baseline values once the caloric deficit is restored [98,99]. This increase in RMR has been verified in athletes in post-competitive periods. ...
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Managing the body composition of athletes is a common practice in the field of sports nutrition. The loss of body weight (BW) in resistance-trained athletes is mainly conducted for aesthetic reasons (bodybuilding) or performance (powerlifting or weightlifting). The aim of this review is to provide dietary–nutritional strategies for the loss of fat mass in resistance-trained athletes. During the weight loss phase, the goal is to reduce the fat mass by maximizing the retention of fat-free mass. In this narrative review, the scientific literature is evaluated, and dietary–nutritional and supplementation recommendations for the weight loss phase of resistance-trained athletes are provided. Caloric intake should be set based on a target BW loss of 0.5–1.0%/week to maximize fat-free mass retention. Protein intake (2.2–3.0 g/kgBW/day) should be distributed throughout the day (3–6 meals), ensuring in each meal an adequate amount of protein (0.40–0.55 g/kgBW/meal) and including a meal within 2–3 h before and after training. Carbohydrate intake should be adapted to the level of activity of the athlete in order to training performance (2–5 g/kgBW/day). Caffeine (3–6 mg/kgBW/day) and creatine monohydrate (0.08–0.10 g/kgBW/day) could be incorporated into the athlete’s diet due to their ergogenic effects in relation to resistance training. The intake of micronutrients complexes should be limited to special situations in which there is a real deficiency, and the athlete cannot consume through their diet.
... Elevated plasma leptin levels have been shown to be the predominant cause for leptin resistance [6], resulting in chronic overstimulation of the leptin receptor and associated SOCS-3 induction [28]. Additionally, carbohydrate overfeeding [29], inflammation markers [30], impaired leptin transport across the blood-brain barrier, disturbed leptin signal transduction in neurons, and hypothalamic inflammation [31] are involved in this process. ...
... Fifth, the intervention group as well as data from published studies [21,45] showed a relative greater than expected reduction in serum leptin (−41% in females and −54% in males after 1 month) compared to fat mass loss (−7% and −9%), which supports the hypothesis that leptin secretion by immune cells within the adipose tissue might also be reduced. Finally, since insulin is supposed to drive subclinical inflammation, we propose that single components of the meal replacement, such as bioactive peptides with antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties [46], the carbohydrate reduction during intensive meal replacement itself [29], and the reduced carbohydrate-mediated insulin secretion might have contributed to diminished subclinical inflammation [18], and thus to lowered circulating leptin levels. ...
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Lifestyle interventions including meal replacement are suitable for prevention and treatment of obesity and type-2-diabetes. Since leptin is involved in weight regulation, we hypothesised that a meal replacement-based lifestyle intervention would reduce leptin levels more effectively than lifestyle intervention alone. In the international, multicentre, randomised-controlled ACOORH-trial (Almased-Concept-against-Overweight-and-Obesity-and-Related- Health-Risk), overweight or obese participants with metabolic syndrome criteria (n = 463) were randomised into two groups and received telemonitoring devices and nutritional advice. The intervention group additionally used a protein-rich, low-glycaemic meal replacement. Data were collected at baseline, after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. All datasets providing leptin data (n = 427) were included in this predefined subanalysis. Serum leptin levels significantly correlated with sex, body mass index, weight, and fat mass at baseline (p < 0.0001). Stronger leptin reduction has been observed in the intervention compared to the control group with the lowest levels after 1 month of intervention (estimated treatment difference −3.4 µg/L [1.4; 5.4] for females; −2.2 µg/L [1.2; 3.3] for males; p < 0.001 each) and was predictive for stronger reduction of body weight and fat mass (p < 0.001 each) over 12 months. Strongest weight loss was observed after 6 months (−5.9 ± 5.1 kg in females of the intervention group vs. −2.9 ± 4.9 kg in the control group (p < 0.0001); −6.8 ± 5.3 kg vs. −4.1 ± 4.4 kg (p = 0.003) in males) and in those participants with combined leptin and insulin decrease. A meal replacement-based lifestyle intervention effectively reduces leptin which is predictive for long-term weight loss.
... Consuming an SFA-enriched diet resulted in increased inflammatory marker levels, whereas consuming a MUFA-rich diet caused an increased anti-inflammatory activity, which supports the results of previous studies on the differential impacts of fatty acid types [48] The mechanism may involve the stimulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, which play regulatory roles in glucose and lipid homeostasis [49]. The elevated leptin levels in participants with obesity, coupled with the association between high fat intake and increased leptin levels, support the concept of leptin resistance in obesity [41] This resistance may be partly caused by impaired leptin transport, potentially influenced by high triglyceride levels, as suggested by previous studies [50]. ...
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Background Obesity, characterized by chronic energy imbalance and excessive adiposity, is a key component of metabolic syndrome and is associated with low-grade inflammation and altered adipokine secretion. This study aimed to evaluate the association between dietary fat consumption and its influence on interleukin (IL) and leptin levels in participants with obesity. Methods Using the Asian obesity classification criteria, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 384 adults (18–59 years). Anthropometric measurements by bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA), blood biochemistry by colorimetric assay, inflammatory markers and hormones by ELISA test, and dietary intake were assessed by Semi-FFQ. Results Obesity prevalence was 26.1% and 73.90% in males and females, respectively. Participants with obesity exhibited significantly higher inflammatory and hormonal marker levels. Positive correlations were observed between blood lipid, glucose, and tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6, and leptin levels. Energy, carbohydrate, and sugar intake were positively correlated with leptin levels. High saturated fat intake was associated with increased IL-6 levels (odds ratio = 2.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00–4.11, p < 0.047), whereas high total fat intake elevated leptin levels by 2.14-fold (95% CI = 1.12–4.10, p < 0.021) in participants with obesity. Conclusions This study demonstrates significant associations between dietary fat composition, inflammatory markers, and leptin levels in individuals with obesity. These findings suggest that modulating dietary fat intake can be a potential strategy for mitigating obesity-related inflammation and leptin resistance, highlighting the need for targeted nutritional interventions in obesity and metabolic syndrome management.
... Reduced insulin sensitivity as a result of HC and HCHF feeding has also been identified using the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp technique [17,[45][46][47]. Some studies report no changes in insulin action with overfeeding [48][49][50][51][52]. These inconsistent findings could be due to a large variation in the overfeeding protocols used in different studies. ...
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There is increasing evidence that skeletal muscle microvascular (capillary) blood flow plays an important role in glucose metabolism by increasing the delivery of glucose and insulin to the myocytes. This process is impaired in insulin-resistant individuals. Studies suggest that in diet-induced insulin-resistant rodents, insulin-mediated skeletal muscle microvascular blood flow is impaired post-short-term high fat feeding, and this occurs before the development of myocyte or whole-body insulin resistance. These data suggest that impaired skeletal muscle microvascular blood flow is an early vascular step before the onset of insulin resistance. However, evidence of this is still lacking in humans. In this review, we summarise what is known about short-term high-calorie and/or high-fat feeding in humans. We also explore selected animal studies to identify potential mechanisms. We discuss future directions aimed at better understanding the ‘early’ vascular mechanisms that lead to insulin resistance as this will provide the opportunity for much earlier screening and timing of intervention to assist in preventing type 2 diabetes.
... Although, limited evidence revealed that carriers of the CC genotype may have a higher energy intake and a lower carbohydrate intake, compared with individuals with the TT genotype [27]. Our results regarding higher BMR/kg in persons consuming a high carbohydrate diet and TT genotype of MC4R is supported by previous studies showing that energy expenditure is higher after carbohydrate overfeeding [41]. The metabolic rate is decreased after adherence to a low-carbohydrate diet via mechanisms associated with substrate availability, and autonomic and hormonal activity [14,42]. ...
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Background Recent studies have shown that dietary carbohydrate quantity and quality as well as genetic variants may contribute to determining the metabolic rate and general and central obesity. This study aimed to examine interactions between melanocortin 4 receptor gene (MC4R) rs17782313 and dietary carbohydrate intake, glycemic index (GI), and glycemic load (GL) on body mass index (BMI), waist circumferences (WC), basal metabolic rate (BMR), and BMR/kg in overweight/obese women. Methods A total of 282 Iranian women (BMI ≥ 25) aged 18–56 years were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All participants were assessed for blood parameters, body composition, BMR, and dietary intake. Dietary carbohydrate intake, GI, and GL were determined using a valid, reliable 147-item food frequency questionnaire. MC4R rs17782313 was genotyped by the restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Results After adjustment for age and energy intake, significant interactions were observed between carbohydrate intake and MC4R rs17782313 in terms of BMI (P Interaction = 0.007), WC (P Interaction = 0.02), and BMR/kg (P Interaction = 0.003) in this way that higher carbohydrate intake, compared with lower intake, was associated with an increase in BMI and WC for individuals with C allele carriers (TC + CC genotypes), while related to an increase in BMR/kg for those carrying the TT genotype. No significant interaction was found between MC4R rs17782313 and GI and GL on BMI, WC, BMR/kg, and BMR. Conclusions Interactions between the MC4R rs17782313 and carbohydrate intake probably can have an effect on BMI, WC, and BMR/kg in overweight/obese women.
... 34−37 Additionally, studies in animals and humans suggests that homeostatic signals related to body weight, such as leptin, can Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease be also involved in appetite. 10,[38][39][40] Studies indicate that obesity or high caloric intake can cause important changes in leptin levels. 41,42 Nevertheless, this mechanism by which this works remains unknown. ...
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Accumulating evidence suggests that maternal overnutrition can result in a higher development risk of obesity and renal disease in the offspring’s adulthood. The present study tested different lipid levels in the maternal diet during pregnancy and lactation and its repercussions on the offspring of Wistar rats. Offspring of 1, 7, 30 and 90-d-old were divided into the following groups: Control (CNT) – offspring of dams that consumed a standard chow diet (3.5% of lipids); Experimental 1 (EXP1) – offspring of dams exposed to a high-fat diet (HFD) (28% of lipids); and Experimental 2 (EXP2) – offspring of dams exposed to a HFD (40% of lipids). Regarding maternal data, there was a decrease in the amount of diet ingested by EXP2. Daily caloric intake was higher in EXP1, while protein and carbohydrate intakes were lower in EXP2. While lipid intake was higher in the experimental groups, EXP1 consumed more lipids than EXP2, despite the body weight gain being higher in EXP2. Adult offspring from EXP1 presented higher blood glucose. Regarding morphometric analysis, in both experimental groups, there was an increase in the glomerular tuft and renal corpuscle areas, but an increase in the capsular space area only in EXP1. There was a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in EXP1, in contrast to an increase in GFR of EXP2, along with an increase in urinary protein excretion. In conclusion, the maternal HFDs caused significant kidney damage in offspring, but had different repercussions on the type and magnitude of recorded change.
... Furthermore, adipose tissue DNL is considered as an energy-inefficient source of lipids because it yields fewer lipids per calorie consumed, thus being a promising strategy for the treatment of lipotoxicity-related diseases. In fact, adipose tissue DNL is positively correlated with postprandial energy expenditure (76) subsequently to carbohydrate overfeeding, but not fat overfeeding which failed to significantly increase any component of energy expenditure (77,78). ...
Article
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Palmitic acid (PA) is ubiquitously present in dietary fat guaranteeing an average intake of about 20 g/d. The relative high requirement and relative content in the human body, which accounts for 20–30% of total fatty acids (FAs), is justified by its relevant nutritional role. In particular physiological conditions, such as in the fetal stage or in the developing brain, the respectively inefficient placental and brain blood–barrier transfer of PA strongly induces its endogenous biosynthesis from glucose via de novo lipogenesis (DNL) to secure a tight homeostatic control of PA tissue concentration required to exert its multiple physiological activities. However, pathophysiological conditions (insulin resistance) are characterized by a sustained DNL in the liver and aimed at preventing the excess accumulation of glucose, which result in increased tissue content of PA and disrupted homeostatic control of its tissue concentration. This leads to an overaccumulation of tissue PA, which results in dyslipidemia, increased ectopic fat accumulation, and inflammatory tone via toll-like receptor 4. Any change in dietary saturated FAs (SFAs) usually reflects a complementary change in polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) intake. Since PUFA particularly n-3 highly PUFA, suppress lipogenic gene expression, their reduction in intake rather than excess of dietary SFA may promote endogenous PA production via DNL. Thereby, the increase in tissue PA and its deleterious consequences from dysregulated DNL can be mistakenly attributed to dietary intake of PA.
... In a study of healthy women, an increase in carbohydrate consumption (40% excess energy as carbohydrates derived from bread, rice, biscuit, and sugar) resulted in plasma leptin levels increasing by 28% and an increase in 24-hour energy expenditure of 7%. Overfeeding of dietary fat had no significant relationship to leptin levels or energy expenditure (39). Similarly, a feeding trial of 22 healthy participants showed a higher leptin response after a carbohydrate-rich meal (81%, 90 g of maltose solution plus other foods and supplements) compared to an isoenergetic fatrich meal (79%) or after fasting (40). ...
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Leptin promotes satiety and modulates energy balance and weight. Diet-induced obesity leads to leptin resistance, exacerbating overeating. We reviewed the literature on the relationship between diet and leptin, which suggests that addressing leptin resistance through dietary interventions can contribute counteracting obesity. Albeit some limitations (e.g., limited rigor, small samples sizes), studies in animals and humans show that diets high in fat, carbohydrates, fructose, and sucrose, and low in protein are drivers of leptin resistance. Despite methodological heterogeneity pertaining to this body of literature, experimental studies show that energy-restricted diets can reduce leptinemia both in the short and long term and potentially reverse leptin resistance in humans. We also discuss limitations of this evidence, future lines of research, and implications for clinical and public health translations. Main limitations include the lack of a single universally-accepted definition of leptin resistance, and of adequate ways to accurately measure it in humans. The use of leptin sensitizers (drugs) and genetically individualized diets are alternatives against leptin resistance that should be further researched in humans. The tested very-low-energy intervention diets are challenging to translate into wide clinical or population recommendations. In conclusion, the link between nutritional components and leptin resistance, as well as research indicating that this condition is reversible, emphasizes the potential of diet to recover sensitivity to this hormone. A harmonized definition of leptin resistance, reliable methods to measure it, and large-scale, translational, clinical, and precision nutrition research involving rigorous methods are needed to benefit populations through these approaches.
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(1) Background: Overconsumption of processed meats, fats, and carbohydrates drives the obesity epidemic in the USA. Associated with this epidemic are increases in metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In this study, protein levels of adipocytokines isolated from visceral fat in mice fed high-fat diets with proteins modified through ammonium supplementation were analyzed to determine changes that occur as a result of dietary protein source and its modification based on age or sex. (2) Methods: Male and female C3H/HeJ mice were randomized into six customized diets—Group 1: CCN = Control Chow (CC) + Ammonium Hydroxide Enhancement (AHE); Group 2: CC = Control Chow; Group 3: HFBN = High Fat (HF) AHE Dietary Beef; Group 4: HFB = HF Beef; Group 5: HFCN = HF AHE Dietary Casein; Group 6: HFC = HF Dietary Casein. Mice were censored at six-month intervals, and visceral fat was collected for analysis. This study highlights sex- and age-related changes in cellular adipocytokine protein expression from 12 to 18 months. (3) Results: When compared to dietary casein, dietary-beef-fed mice showed increased expression of adiponectin, leptin, and MCP-1. In dietary casein protein diets, high fat content was correlated with the expression of pro-inflammatory adipocytokines leptin, MCP-1, resistin, VEGF-A, and TIMP-1. Sex-related differences were observed in adiponectin, leptin, and MCP-1 expression levels. AHE of dietary protein decreased the expression of adiponectin, leptin, MCP-1, and TIMP-1. Age-related changes in expression were observed in leptin, MCP-1, and VEGF-A. (4) Conclusions: Our results indicate that the source of dietary protein plays a critical role in determining adipocytokine expression in WAT. Furthermore, this study shows that in addition to dietary protein type (beef or casein), AHE and fat content also impact the relative expression of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory adipocytokines based on sex over time, with leptin and MCP-1 identified as the most frequently affected.
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Objective: Chronic caloric deprivation and obesity are complicated by hypercortisolemia. The effects of acute overfeeding and fasting on circulating free cortisol levels and conversion of cortisone to free cortisol are unknown. We hypothesized that serum free cortisol and free cortisol-to-cortisone ratio would increase after both overfeeding and fasting. Research design and methods: Prospective study of 22 healthy volunteers who completed a 10-day high-calorie protocol followed by a 10-day fast, separated by a 2-week wash-out. Morning free and total cortisol and free cortisone levels (LC/MS) were performed at baseline and after 10 days of each intervention. Results: Both high-calorie feeding and fasting increased total and free cortisol and the free cortisol-to-free cortisone ratio (p=0.001 to p=0.046). There were sex interactions, with significant effects in men (p<0.001), but not women (p=0.898 and 1.000, respectively) in subset analyses examining the effects of fasting on free cortisol and the free-to-total cortisol ratio. Conclusion: Overfeeding and fasting both increase circulating free cortisol levels and appear to alter the balance between cortisol and its inactive metabolite, cortisone. Further study is warranted to determine whether elevated cortisol levels contribute to complications of starvation and obesity, such as bone fragility.
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The ob gene product is known to control food intake and energy expenditure. To determine whether thermogenic agents directly control ob gene expression, the effects of b-adrenoceptor agonists on the level of the ob gene messenger RNA (mRNA) and on leptin secretion have been studied in mouse brown adipocytes differen- tiated in culture. These cells highly expressed the b3-adrenoceptor, the uncoupling protein, and the ob gene mRNAs. The ob gene was expressed in mouse brown adipocytes earlier than in mouse white adipocytes under the same culture conditions and to a similar level. Theb3-,b1-,andb2-adrenoceptoragonistsBRL37344,dobutamine, and terbutaline inhibited ob gene expression in mouse brown adi- pocytes differentiated in culture with EC50 values of 0.3, 1.0, and 85 nM, respectively. Leptin secretion by the cells under basal con- ditions was 78 610 pg/mg DNAz4 h and was decreased by exposure to the b-adrenoceptor agonists. The ob gene mRNA half-life was 9.4 h and was decreased to 2.4 h by 1 nMBRL 37344, indicating that the inhibitory effect of the b3-agonist might be due to destabiliza- tion of ob gene mRNA. (Bu)2cAMP (10-100 mM) and forskolin (20 mM) mimicked the effect of the b-adrenoceptor agonists. FFA (150- 800 mM) had only a small inhibitory effect on ob gene mRNA ex- pression. The results suggest the existence in brown adipose tissue of a retroregulatory pathway by which leptin production is inhib- ited when the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated. (Endo- crinology 138: 548-552, 1997)
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To find out whether leptin can attenuate hypometabolic torpor-like states of metabolic rate (MR) in adult lean animals, as it attenuates the morning suppression of thermoregulatory thermogenesis in suckling-age rat pups. Leptin effects on MR and food intake were studied in mice aged 4-7 months, in which a high incidence of exaggerated circadian reductions of MR had been induced by chronic food-restriction and, for comparison, in free-feeding mice. Continuous recordings of MR, for a group of seven mice maintained at an ambient temperature of 24 degrees C, while they were repeatedly-with pauses of at least six days-treated for three consecutive days with either recombinant murine leptin (20, 200 or 600 pmol x g(-1) x d[-1]) or saline. Leptin treatment caused dose-dependent 5-15% increases in energy expenditure by moderating the decreases in MR during the circadian minima, without affecting either the MR during the circadian maxima or food intake. Similar treatment of free-feeding mice caused dose-dependent decreases of food intake without changing MR. Leptin controls thermoregulatory energy expenditure when food supplies are scarce and changes food intake, rather than energy expenditure, when food is abundant.
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Sources of error in the interpretation of respiratory data are evaluated and reviewed with special reference to the detailed composition of foods. Estimates of fuel utilization or synthesis are 12-fold more sensitive to errors in the nonprotein respiratory quotient than is the heat equivalent of oxygen. Estimates of protein oxidation from nitrogen excretion can be in error from +14 to -39% of the true value. Heat equivalents of oxygen, respiratory quotients, and urinary nitrogen-to-oxygen conversion ratios are considered for 60 artificial and 101 conventional food proteins, 36 artificial and 125 conventional food fats, and the different carbohydrates contained in these foods. It is concluded that there is considerable uncertainty when the mix of fuels utilized is assessed accurately. Accuracy is best within 5% of the true values. This analysis is completed with descriptions of some physiological sources of error in an appendix.
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Daily human energy requirements calculated from separate components of energy expenditure are inaccurate and usually in poor agreement with measured energy intakes. Measurement of energy expenditure over periods of 24 h or longer is needed to determine more accurately rates of daily energy expenditure in humans. We provide a detailed description of a human respiratory chamber and methods used to determine rates of energy expenditure over 24-h periods in 177 subjects. The results show that: fat-free mass (FFM) as estimated by densitometry is the best available determinant of 24-h energy expenditures (24EE) and explains 81% of the variance observed between individuals (24EE [kcal/d] = 597 + 26.5 FFM); 24EE in an individual is very reproducible (coefficient of variation = 2.4%); and even when adjusted for differences in FFM, there is still considerable interperson variability of the daily energy expenditure. A large portion of the variability of 24EE among individuals, independent of differences in body size, was due to variability in the degree of spontaneous physical activity, i.e., "fidgeting," which accounted for 100-800 kcal/d in these subjects.
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After 13 days of weight maintenance diet (13,720 +/- 620 kJ/day, 40% fat, 15% protein, and 45% carbohydrate), five young men (71.3 +/- 7.1 kg, 181 +/- 8 cm; means +/- SD) were overfed for 9 days at 1.6 times their maintenance requirements (i.e., +8,010 kJ/day). Twenty-four-hour energy expenditure (24-h EE) and basal metabolic rate (BMR) were measured on three occasions, once after 10 days on the weight-maintenance diet and after 2 and 9 days of overfeeding. Physical activity was monitored throughout the study, body composition was measured by underwater weighing, and nitrogen balance was assessed for 3 days during the two experimental periods. Overfeeding caused an increase in body weight averaging 3.2 kg of which 56% was fat as measured by underwater weighing. After 9 days of overfeeding, BMR increased by 622 kJ/day, which could explain one-third of the increase in 24-h EE (2,038 kJ/day); the remainder was due to the thermic effect of food (which increased in proportion with excess energy intake) and the increased cost of physical activity, related to body weight gain. This study shows that approximately one-quarter of the excess energy intake was dissipated through an increase in EE, with 75% being stored in the body. Under our experimental conditions of mixed overfeeding in which body composition measurements were combined with those of energy balance, it was possible to account for all of the energy ingested in excess of maintenance requirements.
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We investigated the response of leptin to short-term fasting and refeeding in humans. A mild decline in subcutaneous adipocyte ob gene mRNA and a marked fall in serum leptin were observed after 36 and 60 h of fasting. The dynamics of the leptin decline and rise were further substantiated in a 6-day study consisting of a 36-h baseline period, followed by 36-h fast, and a subsequent refeeding with normal diet. Leptin began a steady decline from the baseline values after 12 h of fasting, reaching a nadir at 36 h. The subsequent restoration of normal food intake was associated with a prompt leptin rise and a return to baseline values 24 h later. When responses of leptin to fasting and refeeding were compared with that of glucose, insulin, fatty acids, and ketones, a reverse relationship between leptin and β-OH-butyrate was found. Consequently, we tested whether the reciprocal responses represented a causal relationship between leptin and β-OH-butyrate. Small amounts of infused glucose equal to the estimated contribution of gluconeogenesis, which was sufficient to prevent rise in ketogenesis, also prevented a fall in leptin. The infusion of β-OH-butyrate to produce hyperketonemia of the same magnitude as after a 36-h fast had no effect on leptin. The study indicates that one of the adaptive physiological responses to fasting is a fall in serum leptin. Although the mediator that brings about this effect remains unknown, it appears to be neither insulin nor ketones.
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Simple and sensitive methods for the determination of plasma catecholamines are of great interest since the level of catecholamines in plasma reflects the activity of the sympatho-adrenal system. In the present work a previously described procedure based on high pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection has been adapted for assay of plasma catecholamines. This method permits simultaneous detection of noradrenaline, adrenaline and dopamine in concentrations down to 0.1 nmol/1 in less than one ml plasma.
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1. Skinfold thicknesses at four sites – biceps, triceps, subscapular and supra-iliac – and total body density (by underwater weighing) were measured on 209 males and 272 females aged from 16 to 72 years. The fat content varied from 5 to 50% of body-weight in the men and from 10 to 61% in the women. 2. When the results were plotted it was found necessary to use the logarithm of skinfold measurements in order to achieve a linear relationship with body density. 3. Linear regression equations were calculated for the estimation of body density, and hence body fat, using single skinfolds and all possible sums of two or more skinfolds. Separate equations for the different age-groupings are given. A table is derived where percentage body fat can be read off corresponding to differing values for the total of the four standard skinfolds. This table is subdivided for sex and for age. 4. The possible reasons for the altered position of the regression lines with sex and age, and the validation of the use of body density measurements, are discussed.