Effect of physical activity in a weight loss program on circulating total ANGPTL8 concentrations in northern Americans with obesity: A prospective randomized controlled trial

The primary goals of this study were to clarify 1) the effect of weight loss by lifestyle intervention on circulating total angiopoietin-like protein 8 (ANGPTL8), and 2) the role of physical activity on serum total ANGPTL8 in northern Americans with obesity but without diabetes. A total of 130 subjects with body mass index (BMI) ≧ 35 kg/m2 but without diabetes were recruited, and 121 subjects completed a weight loss program for data analysis. Abdominal adipose tissue was determined by non-contrast computed tomography (CT). Serum total ANGPTL8 was higher in the group with obesity than in the lean control group. Serum total ANGPTL8 was positively correlated with waist circumference (WC), BMI, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, QUICKI, hs-CRP, IL-6, and leptin. Serum total ANGPTL8 did not significantly differ between the two intervention groups at baseline, and it was significantly lower after weight loss, with comparable changes with diet only and diet plus physical activity. Among northern Americans with obesity but without diabetes, a lifestyle modification resulted in significant reduction of circulating total ANGPTL8 concentrations in a 6-month weight-loss period. Although addition of physical activity resulted in greater total and liver fat loss, it did not promote further significant decline of serum total ANGPTL8 beyond diet alone. •Physical activity had an additive effect with diet in promoting loss of weight.•Circulating total ANGPTL8 was positively associated with obesity at baseline.•Circulating total ANGPTL8 was decreased after weight loss intervention.•The reduction in ANGPTL8 did not significantly differ in both intervention groups.