| Introduction: Obesity is a strong promoter of cardiometabolic risk factors and is associated with
several chronic comorbidities. Recently, the role of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)
and agouti related peptide (Ag-RP) in regulation of energy balance has attracted much attention.
In current study, we evaluated the association between α-MSH and Ag-RP with cardiometabolic
factors among obese individuals with different adherence to diet quality index-international
(DQI-I) values.
Methods: In this research, 188 obese adults aged between 20 and 50 years old and body mass
index (BMI) between 30 and 40 kg/m2 were recruited. Dietary intakes of participants and DQI-I
calculation was performed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) with
132 food items. Serum glucose, lipids, insulin, and plasma α-MSH and Ag-RP levels were
measured using ELISA kits. Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMAIR)
and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were also calculated.
Results: Among those with the lowest adherence to DQI-I, Ag-RP was positively associated
with systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P = 0.03) among males, which was associated with waist
circumference (WC) (P = 0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P = 0.01). Moreover, among
males with low and moderate adherence to DQI-I, α-MSH was positively associated with
insulin (P = 0.04), weight (P = 0.03), WC (P < 0.01), SDP (P = 0.02) and DBP (P = 0.01). Also, Ag-
RP showed a positive association with BMI values (R2 = 0.03; P = 0.03).
Conclusion: According to our findings, in obese subjects with poor to moderate adherence
to DQI-I, Ag-RP and α-MSH were in positive correlation with cardiometabolic risk factors.
These findings further clarify the clinical importance of these parameters as prognostic factors
of cardiometabolic abnormalities. |