Effect of conjugated linoleic acid on serum Leptin, Adiponectin and body composition in overweight type II diabetic patients

Aims: Animal studies have reported that Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) has several health related benefits including weight loss, loss of body fat mass, protein increase and reduction of fat accumulation. The object of the present study was to determine the effect of CLA supplementation on body weight, body composition, serum leptin and adiponectin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials & Methods: The study was performed as a randomized double-blind clinical trial in year 2009 in the endocrine and metabolism research center of Shahid-Beheshti Medical University on 39 type 2 diabetic patients who were receiving Metformin. Individuals were selected by refered sampling method and were randomly divided into two groups. One group took 3.0 g CLA/d and the control group took CLA placebo for 8 weeks. Blood samples were taken before and after the intervention in order to determination the levels of leptin and adiponectin. Weight, waist and hip circumference, body fat and lean body mass percent were also measured before and after the intervention. Data was analyzed by SPSS 13 software using paired t-test and ANOVA. Results: No significant difference was seen in serum leptin and adiponectin levels variation between groups. In addition, no significant difference was seen in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, body fat and lean body mass percents. Conclusion: CLA supplementation for two months may not improve body weight, body composition, serum leptin and adiponectin levels in type 2 diabetic patients. Further studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of CLA.