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Independent positive association of plasma β-carotene concentrations with adiponectin among non-diabetic obese subjects

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Abstract

Purpose

Many epidemiological studies find an inverse correlation between carotenoids intake or carotenoids plasma concentrations and body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome in the general population. However, it is not clear whether these relationships occur in obese population.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study in 108 obese non-diabetic patients.

Results

There was an inverse correlation between plasma levels of pro-vitamin A carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin) and both BMI and insulin resistance (estimated by the HOMA-IR). No correlation between plasma concentrations of lycopene or lutein/zeaxanthin and BMI or insulin resistance was found. The inverse association between the three pro-vitamin A carotenoids and HOMA-IR disappeared after adjustment for BMI and waist circumference. Interestingly, we identified a positive association between concentrations of β-carotene and adiponectin in plasma that was independent of sex, age, smoking status, BMI and waist circumference. To our knowledge, such association has never been described in obese patients.

Conclusion

These results suggest the existence of a favourable effect of β-carotene on insulin sensitivity in obese individuals that could involve a positive regulation of adiponectin, either directly or via its pro-vitamin A activity. The demonstration of the potential benefits of β-carotene towards insulin sensitivity would open the way to dietary strategies to prevent metabolic syndrome.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Catherine Clement, dietitian, for her expertise in managing and analysing the nutrition-related data. This study was supported by INRA, Aix-Marseille University and AP-HM.

Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. UMR 1260, INRA, Université d’Aix-Marseille, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 05, France

    N. Ben Amara, F. Tourniaire, M. Maraninchi, M. J. Amiot-Carlin, D. Raccah, R. Valéro, J. F. Landrier & P. Darmon

  2. UMR 1062, INSERM, Nutrition, Obésité et Risque Thrombotique, 13385, Marseille Cedex 05, France

    N. Ben Amara, F. Tourniaire, M. Maraninchi, M. J. Amiot-Carlin, D. Raccah, R. Valéro, J. F. Landrier & P. Darmon

  3. Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 05, France

    N. Ben Amara, F. Tourniaire, M. Maraninchi, M. J. Amiot-Carlin, D. Raccah, R. Valéro, J. F. Landrier & P. Darmon

  4. Laboratoire de Physiologie Intégrée, Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, 7021, Jarzouna , Tunisia

    N. Attia

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  1. N. Ben Amara
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  2. F. Tourniaire
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  3. M. Maraninchi
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  4. N. Attia
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  5. M. J. Amiot-Carlin
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  6. D. Raccah
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  7. R. Valéro
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  8. J. F. Landrier
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  9. P. Darmon
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to J. F. Landrier or P. Darmon.

Additional information

J. F. Landrier and P. Darmon have contributed equally to this work.

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Ben Amara, N., Tourniaire, F., Maraninchi, M. et al. Independent positive association of plasma β-carotene concentrations with adiponectin among non-diabetic obese subjects. Eur J Nutr 54, 447–454 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-014-0728-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-014-0728-6

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