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Lean mass in obese adult subjects correlates with higher levels of vitamin D, insulin sensitivity and lower inflammation

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Abstract

Aim

Several chronic metabolic alterations are present in obese subjects. While it is well known about the detrimental effect of abdominal adipose tissue on chronic metabolic clinical condition, less is known on the role of lean mass in obese subjects. Thus, the aim of our study was to evaluate the potential correlation of muscle mass, metabolic condition and inflammation status in obese individuals.

Methods

The study included 426 obese subjects (86 men and 340 female; mean age 44.8 ± 14 years; BMI: 34.9 ± 6.1 kg/m2). Exclusion criteria were chronic medical conditions or use of medications affecting bone metabolism, alterations of hormonal and nutritional status, vitamin D supplementation, recent weight loss and prior bariatric surgery. Patients underwent measurements of bone mineral density (lumbar and hip) and body composition (lean mass, total and trunk fat mass) by dual X-ray absorptiometry and were evaluated for hormonal and metabolic profile and inflammatory markers.

Results

Higher lean body mass (LM%) was inversely correlated with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (p < 0.0091; r 2 0.03938) and associated with lower fibrinogen levels (p < 0.0001; r 2 0.1263). Interestingly, in obese subjects, LM% was associated with higher levels of vitamin D (p < 0.0001, r 2 0.1140), osteocalcin (p < 0.0001, r 2 0.2401) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) (p < 0.0002, r 2 0.1367).

Conclusion

Our results show for the first time that in obese patients, higher amounts of lean mass are directly linked to a lower inflammatory profile and to better insulin sensitivity, but also to the presence of higher level of vitamin D and IGF-1. Moreover, these data suggest that higher levels of lean mass in obese people correlate with a better metabolic profile and, thus, strongly suggest the need to develop programs to facilitate an increase in physical activity in obese people.

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Acknowledgments

Research was funded by PRIN 2009—2009KENS9K_004 to LMD; PRIN 2011 052013 to SM, PON 01_00829 to AL, PRIN Muskendo. LiSa laboratories are a Joint-Venture between Eli Lilly Firenze and Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Sapienza University of Rome.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could prejudice the impartiality of the research reported. FW was supported by an ELI Lilly grant. AA, EAG, VBM are supported by PON 01_00829.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department Experimental Medicine, Section Medical Pathophysiology, Endocrinology and Nutrition, University “Sapienza” of Rome, Rome, Italy

    R. Fornari, D. Francomano, E. A. Greco, C. Marocco, C. Lubrano, L. M. Donini, A. Lenzi & A. Aversa

  2. LiSa Laboratory, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria “Policlinico Vittorio Emanuele”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

    E. A. Greco, F. Wannenes, V. M. Bimonte & A. Aversa

  3. Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Section of Health Sciences, University “Foro Italico” of Rome, Largo Lauro De Bosis 15, 00195, Rome, Italy

    F. Wannenes, V. Papa, V. M. Bimonte & S. Migliaccio

Authors
  1. R. Fornari
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  2. D. Francomano
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  3. E. A. Greco
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  4. C. Marocco
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  5. C. Lubrano
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  6. F. Wannenes
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  7. V. Papa
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  8. V. M. Bimonte
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  9. L. M. Donini
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  10. A. Lenzi
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  11. A. Aversa
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  12. S. Migliaccio
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Migliaccio.

Additional information

R. Fornari and D. Francomano equally contributed to this work.

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Fornari, R., Francomano, D., Greco, E.A. et al. Lean mass in obese adult subjects correlates with higher levels of vitamin D, insulin sensitivity and lower inflammation. J Endocrinol Invest 38, 367–372 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-014-0189-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-014-0189-z

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