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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Obesity | Original investigation

Elevated plasma succinate levels are linked to higher cardiovascular disease risk factors in young adults

Authors: Francisco J. Osuna-Prieto, Borja Martinez-Tellez, Lourdes Ortiz-Alvarez, Xinyu Di, Lucas Jurado-Fasoli, Huiwen Xu, Victoria Ceperuelo-Mallafré, Catalina Núñez-Roa, Isabelle Kohler, Antonio Segura-Carretero, José V. García-Lario, Angel Gil, Concepción M. Aguilera, Jose M. Llamas-Elvira, Patrick C. N. Rensen, Joan Vendrell, Jonatan R. Ruiz, Sonia Fernández-Veledo

Published in: Cardiovascular Diabetology | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Succinate is produced by both host and microbiota, with a key role in the interplay of immunity and metabolism and an emerging role as a biomarker for inflammatory and metabolic disorders in middle-aged adults. The relationship between plasma succinate levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in young adults is unknown.

Methods

Cross-sectional study in 100 (65% women) individuals aged 18–25 years from the ACTIvating Brown Adipose Tissue through Exercise (ACTIBATE) study cohort. CVD risk factors, body composition, dietary intake, basal metabolic rate, and cardiorespiratory fitness were assessed by routine methods. Plasma succinate was measured with an enzyme-based assay. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) was evaluated by positron emission tomography, and circulating oxylipins were assessed by targeted metabolomics. Fecal microbiota composition was analyzed in a sub-sample.

Results

Individuals with higher succinate levels had higher levels of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass (+ 42.5%), triglycerides (+ 63.9%), C-reactive protein (+ 124.2%), diastolic blood pressure (+ 5.5%), and pro-inflammatory omega-6 oxylipins than individuals with lower succinate levels. Succinate levels were also higher in metabolically unhealthy individuals than in healthy overweight/obese peers. Succinate levels were not associated with BAT volume or activity or with fecal microbiota composition and diversity.

Conclusions

Plasma succinate levels are linked to a specific pro-inflammatory omega-6 signature pattern and higher VAT levels, and seem to reflect the cardiovascular status of young adults.

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Title: Elevated plasma succinate levels are linked to higher cardiovascular disease risk factors in young adults
Authors: Francisco J. Osuna-Prieto
Borja Martinez-Tellez
Lourdes Ortiz-Alvarez
Xinyu Di
Lucas Jurado-Fasoli
Huiwen Xu
Victoria Ceperuelo-Mallafré
Catalina Núñez-Roa
Isabelle Kohler
Antonio Segura-Carretero
José V. García-Lario
Angel Gil
Concepción M. Aguilera
Jose M. Llamas-Elvira
Patrick C. N. Rensen
Joan Vendrell
Jonatan R. Ruiz
Sonia Fernández-Veledo
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Obesity
Obesity
Respiratory Microbiota
Overweight
Published in: Cardiovascular Diabetology / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1475-2840
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-021-01333-3

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A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.

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