Effects of short-term dietary restriction on plasma metabolites and the subcutaneous fat area according to metabolic status in obese individuals: a case–control study

BACKGROUND: Research elucidating the metabolic mechanisms that differentiate subtypes of obesity has been increasing. We aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week dietary intervention on the metabolomic profiles of obese subjects. METHODS: Subjects followed a 12-week dietary restriction protocol consisting of a 300 kcal/day reduction in their usual caloric intake. Twenty-nine obese subjects were included and divided into two groups: the metabolic status maintenance group (n = 17, controls) and the metabolic status improvement group (n = 12, tests). We analyzed the somatometric and biochemical parameters and performed ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the plasma metabolites. RESULTS: At 12 weeks, the fat percentage, whole fat area (WFA), subcutaneous fat area (SFA) at the L1 vertebra, and the levels of triglycerides, gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT), and leptin were markedly decreased in the metabolic status improvement group, while the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased compared with that in the metabolic status maintenance group. Metabolomic profiling at 12 weeks showed substantial differences in 4-aminobutyraldehyde (p = 0.005) and 4’-apo-β-carotenal (p = 0.024) between the two groups. Furthermore, an AUC value of 0.89 was obtained for the following seven featured biomarkers: triglycerides, gamma-GT, leptin, fat percentage, WFA, and SFA at the L1 vertebra, and 4-aminobutyraldehyde. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that 4-aminobutyraldehyde and related regional fat distribution parameters were strongly associated with obesity according to metabolic status. Thus, these biomarkers are potentially valuable in confirming the efficacy of short-term interventions and predicting metabolic status in obese individuals. Trials registration: This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under NCT03135132 (registered 1 May 2017—retrospectively registered). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13098-021-00679-8.