Longitudinal Effects of Weight Loss and Regain on Cytokine Concentration in Obese Adults

Objective—To describe patterns of weight loss and regain and their effect on the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, and anti-inflammatory cytokines adiponectin and IL-10 during a 24-month weight loss trial. Materials/Methods—Participants were obese adults (N = 66) who lost and regained ≥10 lbs during a 24-month clinical trial of behavioral weight loss treatment. Measurements of cytokines and weight were conducted at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Linear mixed modeling was used to determine percent change in weight and cytokines from baseline. Results—The sample was predominantly female (80.3%) and White (86.4%), with a mean age of 48.4 ± 7.3 years and mean BMI of 34.5 ± 4.4 kg/m2. At baseline, men had higher waist circumference, body weight, and energy intake, and lower percent body fat and adiponectin. The largest decrease in weight was observed at 6 months with a mean 11% decrease (p < .0001). A significant gender-by-weight change interaction on percent change in adiponectin was observed [b(se) = 0.9 (0.2), p = . 0003], with men having a larger increase in adiponectin with weight loss © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Corresponding author: Lora E. Burke, Department of Health and Community Systems, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, 3500 Victoria Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. Tel. : +1 619 806 7271; fax: +1 412 383 7293. lbu100@pitt.edu. The authors declare no conflict of interest. AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS EJA analyzed the data and drafted the manuscript. MMB provided statistical consultation on the manuscript and reviewed the manuscript. MAS, LHK, RWE, and LEB all provided consultation on the content of the manuscript and reviewed the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors declare no conflict of interest. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. NIH Public Access Author Manuscript Metabolism. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2014 December 15. Published in final edited form as: Metabolism. 2013 September ; 62(9): 1218–1222. doi:10.1016/j.metabol. 2013.04. 004. N IH -P A A uhor M anscript N IH -P A A uhor M anscript N IH -P A A uhor M anscript compared to women. There was a significant effect of weight gain over time with increases in IL-6 [b(se) = 0.9 (0.3), p = . 001]. Conclusions—Overall, weight loss was significantly associated with improvements in adiponectin and IL-6. Those improvements remained at 24 months, following weight regain. The association between weight change and adiponectin was different between genders. Implementing strategies that support sustained weight loss can help prevent a state of chronic systemic inflammation and its associated adverse effects.