Weight reduction and the impaired plasma-derived free fatty acid oxidation in type 2 diabetic subjects

E.E. Blaak*, B.H.R. Wolffenbuttel, W.H.M. Saris, M.M.A.L. Pelsers, A.J.M. Wagenmakers

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001 Apr;86(4):1638-44 Related Articles, Books, LinkOut


Weight reduction and the impaired plasma-derived free fatty acid oxidation in type 2 diabetic subjects.

Blaak EE, Wolffenbuttel BH, Saris WH, Pelsers MM, Wagenmakers AJ.

Department of Human Biology, Nutrition Research Center, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. e.blaak@hb.unimaas.nl

In a previous study the oxidation of plasma free fatty acids (FFA) under baseline conditions and during exercise was lower in type 2 diabetic subjects compared with weight-matched controls. The present study intended to investigate the effect of weight reduction (very low calorie diet) on plasma FFA oxidation in seven type 2 diabetic male subjects (body fat, 37.4 +/- 1.2%; age, 51.3 +/- 3.4 yr; plasma glucose, 7.45 +/- 0.48 mmol/L). Subjects underwent a 10-week diet period. Body composition and substrate utilization during rest and during bicycle exercise (50% of maximum aerobic capacity) were determined before and after the diet (during weight-stable conditions). FFA metabolism was studied by means of the tracer [U-(13)C]palmitate. Rates of oxidation of plasma FFA were corrected with an acetate recovery factor. Additionally, activities of mitochondrial enzymes and cytosolic fatty acid-binding protein were determined in biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle before and after the diet. The very low calorie diet resulted in a weight loss of 15.3 kg (110.8 +/- 7.4 vs. 95.5 +/- 5.8 kg; P < 0.01). The basal rates of appearance and disappearance of FFA decreased as a result of diet. The rates of appearance and disappearance of FFA during exercise were not different before and after diet. The oxidation of plasma-derived fatty acids tended to decrease after diet during baseline conditions (P = 0.10), whereas the plasma FFA oxidation during exercise was not different before and after the diet (14.1 +/- 1.9 vs. 14.8 +/- 1.8 micromol/kg fat-free mass.min). Skeletal muscle cytosolic fatty acid-binding protein and the activities of muscle oxidative enzymes did not significantly change as a result of weight loss. In conclusion, considerable weight reduction did not significantly improve plasma-derived FFA oxidation under baseline conditions and during exercise, suggesting that this impairment reflects a primary defect leading to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus rather than resulting from the type 2 diabetic state.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1638-1644
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Volume86
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2001

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