Dietary composition affects regional body fat distribution and levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) in post-menopausal women with Type 2 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To compare effects of a high carbohydrate (high-CHO) and a monounsaturated fat diet (high-MUFA) on body fat distribution and sex hormones in post-menopausal women with Type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
Randomised cross-over with no washout.


METHODS
Geelong Hospital outpatient.


METHODS
Thirty four women were recruited, 30 completed the study, and data are presented for 21 women compliant to the high-CHO diet.


METHODS
Women followed a high-CHO diet (20% energy (%E) from fat, 60%E from carbohydrate and a high-MUFA diet (40%E from fat, half as monounsaturated fat, 40%E from carbohydrate) in random order for 12 weeks each.


METHODS
Dietary compliance was measured by change in linoleic acid (C18:2,omega-6) in plasma cholesteryl esters. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Fasting concentrations of glucose and insulin were measured in plasma. Steroid hormones and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured in serum.


RESULTS
On the high-CHO diet C18:2,omega-6 in plasma cholesteryl esters declined by 5.4% (95% confidence intervals (CI), -2.5% to -8.4%, P=0.0015). Fat was lost mainly from the lower body (lower body loss -0.71 kg, 95%CI, -0.43 to -1.00 kg, P=0.001; upper body loss -0.15 kg, 95%CI, -0.76 to +0.46 kg, P=0.6). Yet on the high-MUFA diet, lower body fat loss was minimal (-0.22 kg, 95%CI, +0.11 to -0.55 kg, P = 0.2). By general linear modelling (GLM), differences in lower body fat loss were significantly related to diet (P = 0.04). After adjustment for age, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) concentrations after the high-CHO diet were related to levels of lower body fat (r = 0.394, P = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
In women with Type 2 diabetes following a high-CHO diet for 12 weeks the disproportionate loss of lower body fat is related to a decline in DHEAS.
Walker
K Z
KZ
Centre for Population Health and Nutrition, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
O'Dea
K
K
Nicholson
G C
GC
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000097:blood*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D002788:Cholesterol Esters / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002788:Cholesterol Esters; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D007328:Insulin; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone