Lifestyle changes lower FABP4 plasma concentration in patients with cardiovascular risk.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES To analyze the impact of lifestyle changes on adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (FABP4) plasma levels in patients with cardiovascular risk. METHODS A 1-year prospective study enrolled 140 patients with cardiovascular risk but without previous cardiovascular disease to evaluate the impact of therapeutic lifestyle changes on cardiovascular risk, focusing on tobacco, nutrition education, and physical activity. RESULTS The FABP4 variation was inversely associated to physical activity changes (MET·h/wk). FABP4 significantly decreased in patients with increased physical activity, whereas it increased with physical activity reduction. These FABP4 changes were also associated with modifications in body mass index and insulin resistance parameters; however, the correlations between physical activity and FABP4 remained after adjusting for these confounding variables. Changes in physical activity were the main predictors of FABP4 modifications. FABP4 reductions were directly associated with low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and apolipoprotein B reductions. Neither tobacco cessation nor diet composition modified FABP4 concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Increasing aerobic physical activity can decrease FABP4 plasma levels, independently of weight reduction. If a causal role of FABP4 in metabolic and vascular alterations could be established, our results would add new positive effects on metabolic and cardiovascular risk of both physical activity and avoiding obesity.