Abstract
BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence indicates that dietary modifications confer beneficial effects on metabolic syndrome (MetS). In clinical practice, short-term very low-calorie diets (VLCD) have been established as an effective intervention for improving MetS, even in the absence of exercise. However, the impact of a short-term VLCD on the serum metabolic profile of patients with MetS remains to be elucidated. METHODS: 18 adult patients meeting the diagnostic criteria for MetS were enrolled and placed on a 9-day VLCD regimen. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, and lipid metabolism indices were measured before and after the intervention. Serum metabolic profiles were subsequently acquired using (1)H-NMR spectroscopy. RESULTS: Following the short-term VLCD intervention, patients with MetS exhibited significant reductions in body weight, waist circumference, and BMI (P < 0.05). Blood pressure was also significantly lowered (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the intervention regulated both glucose and lipid metabolism. Serum metabolomic analysis identified 20 characterized metabolites, all of which showed significantly decreased levels post-treatment (P < 0.05). Pathway analysis indicated that the short-term VLCD modulated key metabolic pathways involved in energy and lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant responses, cellular signaling, and neurohormonal regulation. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that a short-term VLCD is an effective and safe intervention for improving anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, and lipid metabolism in patients with MetS. The observed therapeutic effects appear to be mediated through a remodeling of the serum metabolic profile and a concomitant modulation of key metabolic pathways. These findings provide a scientific rationale for the clinical application of short-term VLCD in MetS management.