Unchanged fasting and postprandial adiponectin levels following a 4‐day caloric restriction in young healthy men

OBJECTIVE: Adiponectin is an adipocyte-secreted protein that has been shown to promote fat oxidation and insulin sensitivity in animals. Whether acute energy restriction is associated with modulation of adiponectin in humans remains largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a short-term caloric restriction on fasting and postprandial adiponectin levels in young healthy men. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Fifteen young healthy men were subjected to a 4-day energy restricted diet (-800 kcal/day). Before and after the intervention, anthropometric measurements, fasting and postprandial glucose, insulin and adiponectin were measured at 0, 30 and 60 min after a fixed breakfast. RESULTS: While fat mass remained stable, minor but significant changes in weight were observed after the 4-day energy-restricted diet. Glucose and insulin levels increased postprandially, and patterns did not differ before and after the intervention. Fasting levels of adiponectin remained unchanged after the energy restriction, and postprandial levels were not significantly different from fasting levels either before, or after, the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Fasting and postprandial adiponectin levels are not acutely modulated by a short-term energy restriction in young healthy men.