Plasma adipocyte and epidermal fatty acid binding protein is reduced after weight loss in obesity.
OBJECTIVE
Plasma adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) and epidermal fatty acid binding protein (E-FABP) concentrations have been linked to obesity and the metabolic syndrome. In this study, we investigated whether plasma A-FABP and E-FABP concentrations are altered by weight loss in obese patients.


METHODS
In a prospective study, fasting plasma A-FABP and E-FABP concentrations were measured before and 6 months after gastric banding in 33 morbidly obese patients, with a body mass index (BMI) of 46 +/- 5 kg/m(2). Eleven healthy subjects with a BMI < 25 kg/m(2) served as controls.


RESULTS
A-FABP and E-FABP plasma concentrations were higher in obese subjects (36.7 +/- 6.7 and 3.7 +/- 0.7 ng/ml, respectively) than in controls (18.1 +/- 0.6 and 2.6 +/- 0.5, respectively, p < 0.01). Gastric banding reduced BMI to 40 +/- 5 kg/m(2), A-FABP to 32.6 +/- 5.4 ng/ml and E-FABP to 1.9 +/- 0.7 ng/ml (all p < 0.05) after 6 months. Insulin sensitivity as estimated by the Homeostasis Model Assessment insulin resistance index was unchanged. A-FABP concentrations were significantly associated with BMI before and 6 months after surgery (p < 0.05, r = 0.42 and r = 0.37 respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Elevated plasma A-FABP and E-FABP concentrations in morbidly obese subjects are reduced after gastric banding-induced weight loss. This suggests that FABP may be associated with improvement of metabolic conditions over time.
Haider
D G
DG
Schindler
K
K
Bohdjalian
A
A
Prager
G
G
Luger
A
A
Wolzt
M
M
Ludvik
B
B
D017667:Adipocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss
C493412:FABP5 protein, human; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins