The influence of sodium- and calcium-regulatory hormone interventions on adipocytokines in obesity and diabetes

Abstract

Objective: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone have all been implicated as regulators of adipocytokines and inflammation. We evaluated human interventional study protocols to investigate whether controlled modulations of these calcium- and sodium-regulatory hormones could influence adipocytokines and inflammation in obesity and diabetes.

Methods: Post-hoc analyses of two separate human protocols (Protocol 1, n=14; Protocol 2, n=24) conducted in a clinical research setting after rigorous control of diet, posture, medications, and diurnal rhythm, were performed. Protocol 1 evaluated obese hypertensives with vitamin D deficiency who received an infusion of angiotensin II (AngII) before and after 1month of vitamin D3 therapy. Protocol 2 evaluated obese subjects with type 2 diabetes who also received AngII. Adipocytokines and inflammatory markers were measured before and after vitamin D3 therapy, and also before and after infusions of AngII.

Results: Vitamin D3 therapy significantly raised 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D concentrations, and lowered parathyroid hormone, but had no effect on concentrations of adiponectin, resistin, leptin, IL-6, PAI-1, urinary TGFβ1, or HOMA-IR. AngII infusions, despite significant elevations in blood pressure and serum aldosterone, did not influence adipocytokine concentrations in either protocol.

Conclusion: In contrast to prior studies conducted in healthy populations, or those that could not control major regulators of the RAAS or adipocytokines, we observed that robust modulations in calcium- and sodium-regulatory hormones did not influence adipocytokines or inflammation in obesity or diabetes. Adipose-tissue physiology in these conditions may alter the hormonal regulation of inflammatory parameters.

Figure 1

Changes in adiponectin in response to low-dose AngII infusion before (A) and after (B) vitamin D₃ therapy, and changes in resistin in response to low-dose AngII infusion before (C) and after (D) vitamin D₃ therapy. Box plots depict the 25^th–75^th percentile (grey boxes) and the median (black square).

Figure 2

Changes in adiponectin in response to high-dose AngII infusion (A) and changes in resistin in response to high-dose AngII infusion (B). Box plots depict the 25^th–75^th percentile (grey boxes) and the median (black square).