Use of Metabolomic Profiling to Understand Variability in Adiposity Changes Following an Intentional Weight Loss Intervention in Older Adults

ABSTRACT Introduction Inter-individual response to dietary interventions remains a major challenge to successful weight loss among older adults. This study applied metabolomics technology to identify small molecule signatures associated with loss of fat mass and overall weight in a cohort of older adults on a nutritionally complete, high protein diet. Methods 102 unique metabolites were measured using LC-MS for 38 adults aged 65-80 years randomized to dietary intervention and 36 controls. Metabolite values were analyzed in both baseline plasma samples and samples collected following the six-month dietary intervention to consider both metabolites that could predict response to diet and those that changed in response to diet or weight loss. Results Eight metabolites changed over intervention at a nominally-significant level: D-pantothenic acid, L-methionine, nicotinate, aniline, melatonin, deoxycarnitine, 6-deoxy-L-galactose, and 10-hydroxydecanoate. Within the intervention group, there was broad variation in achieved weight-loss and DXA-defined changes in total fat and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass. Change in VAT mass was significantly associated with baseline abundance of α-aminoadipate ( p = 0.0007) and an additional mass spectrometry peak that may represent D-fructose, myo-inositol, mannose, α-D-glucose, allose, D-galactose, D-tagatose, or L-sorbose ( p = 0.0001). Discussion This hypothesis-generating study reflects the potential of metabolomic biomarkers for the development of personalized dietary interventions.