Diet, exercise reduce serum lipids linked to insulin resistance

Lifestyle interventions, including diet and exercise, can help lower serum sphingolipid species associated with insulin resistance, suggest the results of a recent study.

In addition, individuals with elevated serum triacylglycerol (TAG) may derive benefits from lifestyle interventions, which improve insulin sensitivity by reducing serum lipids related io insulin resistance, according to the authors.

Overall, 21 individuals with obesity were included in this analysis. They participated in a 3-month lifestyle intervention, which combined weight loss and exercise training. The authors then assessed insulin sensitivity by hyperinsulinemic-euglycaemic clamps and carried out serum lipidomics.

A significant reduction (10 percent) in BMI was observed after the lifestyle intervention. In addition, VO₂peak increased by 12 percent and insulin sensitivity by 57 percent. 

On the other hand, there were significant decreases observed in total serum TAG, diacylglycerol, dihydroceramides, sphingosine-1-phosphate, and sphinganine-1-phosphate, as well as specific species of dihydroceramides (C18:0 and C24:1) following the intervention.

Of note, participants who presented with higher concentrations of TAG prior to the 3-month intervention showed marked reductions in serum lipids, which did not significantly change in those with lower TAG concentrations at baseline.

“Circulating lipids are linked with insulin resistance and increased cardiovascular disease risk,” the authors said. “We previously reported that dihydroceramides, a specific type of sphingolipid, are elevated in insulin-resistant individuals.”