Evidence for impaired lipolysis in abdominally obese men: postprandial study of apolipoprotein B-48– and B-100–containing lipoproteins

Abstract

Background: Abdominal obesity has been associated with postprandial hypertriglyceridemia. The contribution of intestinally and hepatically derived lipoproteins to this exaggerated postprandial lipemic response is not known. Objective: We examined the associations between body fatness, fat distribution, and postprandial apolipoprotein (apo) B-48 and apo B-100 concentrations measured in triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins (TRLs). Design: Dietary fat tolerance was investigated in 50 men aged 28–67 y. The subjects were given a test meal containing 60 g fat/m² body surface area and providing 64% of energy from fat, 18% from carbohydrates, and 18% from protein. The meal provided 7524–9196 kJ, depending on body surface area. Blood samples were collected every 2 h over an 8-h period. Results: The increase in plasma triacylglycerol after the meal resulted from increases in both apo B-48– and apo B-100–containing lipoproteins. The apo B-100 concentration was the strongest contributor (R² = 69.6%, P = 0.0001) to postprandial triacylglycerol in total TRLs; the postprandial increase in triacylglycerol was best predicted by the apo B-48 concentration (R² = 32.7%, P = 0.0001). Visceral abdominal fat was significantly associated with high postprandial TRL apo B-48 and apo B-100 concentrations (r = 0.30–0.44, P < 0.05). After the meal, the apo B-100 concentration in small TRLs decreased in 12 subjects. These men showed features of the insulin resistance–dyslipidemic syndrome, including more visceral fat (P = 0.07) and an altered fasting metabolic profile. Conclusion: A lower lipolytic capacity may contribute to the exaggerated and prolonged postprandial lipemia among abdominally obese men.