Abstract:
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the changes in circulating galactin-1 levels among obese adults as they underwent weight loss through a personalized exercise and diet control program.
Method: This quasi-experimental study was conducted over a period of 24 weeks at a medical centre in Taiwan. Participants attended outpatient clinic visits at weeks 0, 12, and 24, where they received face-to-face education on diet and exercise. Additionally, case managers provided 10-minute phone consultations at weeks 2, 4, and 8, offering guidance and coaching. Based on personal habit, A total of 69 subjects were also provided with wearable devices and artificial intelligence apps for diet and exercise intervention. These devices monitored steps, heart rates, consumed calories, sleep conditions, and other variables. The primary outcomes measured were weight and waist circumference, while secondary outcomes included galactin-1 levels and various biochemical variables such as plasma glucose, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and insulin.
Results: The study assigned 69 overweight and obese subjects to the case group (standard care and wearables plus apps) and 28 subjects to the control group (standard care only). After controlling for age, a strong positive correlation was found between Galectin-1 levels and BMI (p = 0.001). Further stratification of participants into BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2and BMI < 30 kg/m2 groups revealed a significant decrease in circulating Galectin-1 levels from pre-intervention (baseline) to post-intervention (week 24) (p = 0.023).
Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate a significant decrease in circulating galactin-1 levels among obese adults who underwent a 24-week diet and exercise modification program.
Audience take away:
• Previous literature has suggested that galectin-1 plays a role as a novel adipokine in adipocyte differentiation and adipose tissue homeostasis.
• In human studies, positive associations have been observed between galectin-1 levels and waist/hip ratio, as well as adipocyte cell size in adults. Similarly, in obese children, circulating galectin-1 has been found to be positively correlated with body fat and waist circumference.
• However, to date, there has been no investigation specifically examining changes in galectin-1 levels following a diet and exercise control intervention.
• Our study fills this gap and provides evidence of a significant decrease in circulating galectin-1 levels among obese adults who participated in a 24-week diet and exercise modification program.
