An exploratory investigation of links between changes in adipokines and quality of life in individuals undergoing weight loss interventions: possible implications for cancer research.
OBJECTIVE
Obesity has been linked to a wide spectrum of malignancies, with the strongest association demonstrated for endometrial cancer. Although the mechanisms are not yet entirely clear, a number of risk biomarkers have been proposed, including altered adipokines. Systemic levels of these adipose derived molecules have also been linked in prior research to self-reported quality of life (QOL). The study objective was to examine the hypothesis that adipokine changes during intentional weight loss may be associated with changes in QOL.


METHODS
Fifty-two female participants were selected from two behavioral weight loss trials (SMART and PREFER) on the basis of achieving successful weight loss at 6month assessment, availability of blood samples and completion of standard SF-36 QOL questionnaires. Levels of adiponectin, leptin, and resistin were measured using xMAP immunoassays. Changes in QOL were examined using linear regression models in relation to pre- and post-intervention changes in biomarker levels and BMI.


RESULTS
Significant changes between pre- and post-intervention were observed for leptin. Controlling for baseline BMI, leptin was the only biomarker that predicted change in QOL (Physical Component Scale, PCS). Linear regression models demonstrated that leptin continued to be a significant predictor of change in PCS when other possible predictor variables were included in the model.


CONCLUSIONS
This study is among the first to demonstrate that changes in PCS may be regulated by levels of both metabolic variables and adipokines. An improved understanding of biological mechanisms associated with weight loss and the role of QOL may help guide preventive strategies for obesity-associated cancers.
Magee Women's Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Faina
F
Linkov
Department of Health & Community Systems, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Lora E
LE
Burke
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Marina
M
Komaroff
Magee Women's Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Robert P
RP
Edwards
Department of Medicine, and the Luminex Core Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Anna
A
Lokshin
Department of Health & Community Systems, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Mindi A
MA
Styn
Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Eugene
E
Tseytlin
Magee Women's Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Kyle E
KE
Freese
Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Behavioral & Community Health Sciences, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Biobehavioral Medicine in Oncology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Dana H
DH
Bovbjerg
D054392:Adipokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D052242:Adiponectin / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000378:metabolism; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D052243:Resistin / Q000378:metabolism; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs; D055815:Young Adult
C499918:ADIPOQ protein, human; D054392:Adipokines; D052242:Adiponectin; D020738:Leptin; C499624:RETN protein, human; D052243:Resistin
Adipokines; Biomarkers; Endometrial cancer; Inflammation; Prevention; Weight loss