Fructose restriction has beneficial effects on adipose tissue distribution but not on serum adipokine levels: Post-hoc analysis of a double-blind randomized controlled trial

We aimed to examine the effects of isocaloric fructose restriction on adipose tissue distribution and serum adipokines. Individuals with BMI >28 kg/m² (n = 44) followed a 6-week fructose-restricted diet and were randomly allocated to (double-blind) oral supplementation with fructose (control) or glucose (intervention) powder three times daily. Visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissue was quantified with MRI. Serum interleukin 6 and 8, tumour necrosis factor alpha and adiponectin levels were measured with sandwich immunoassay. BMI decreased in both groups, but the change did not differ between groups (−0.1 kg/m², 95%CI: −0.3; 0.5). SAT decreased statistically significantly in the control group (−23.2 cm³, 95%CI: −49.4; −4.1), but not in the intervention group. The change in SAT did not differ between groups (29.6 cm³, 95%CI: −1.2; 61.8). No significant differences in VAT were observed within or between study arms. The VAT/SAT ratio decreased statistically significantly in the intervention group (−0.02, 95%CI: −0.04; −0.003) and the change was significantly different between groups (−0.03, 95%CI: −0.54; −0.003). Serum adipokine levels were not affected by the intervention. This study shows that a fructose-restricted diet resulted in a favourable change in adipose tissue distribution, but did not affect serum adipokines. Further studies are warranted to clarify the underlying mechanisms how fructose affects adipose tissue distribution.