Figure 1. An inverse association between baseline plasma adropin concentrations and the effect of weight loss.

(A) Plasma adropin concentrations at baseline and after achieving 6–8% weight loss (“follow-up”) by calorie restriction (CR), calorie-restriction plus exercise (CREX) and exercise only (EX). White bars = adropin values at baseline; black bars = adropin values after weight loss.

(B) Scatterplot showing significant associations between baseline plasma adropin concentrations and concentrations after weight loss (follow-up) or the difference in concentration at follow-up from baseline (Δ^adropin). The data shown have been ln transformed. Grey circles = adropin values after weight loss; white circles = Δ^adropin

(C) Plasma adropin concentrations quartiled by ranking levels at baseline from low (1^st quartile) to high (4^th quartile). There was a significant interaction between weight loss and quartile, with the 4^th quartile exhibiting a decline in plasma adropin concentrations. * P<0.005 between all quartiles; a P<0.005 vs. 3^rd, 4^th quartile; b P<0.005 vs. 4^th quartile; c P<0.005 vs. 1^st quartile; d P<0.005 vs. 1^st, 2^nd quartile; ** P<0.001 compared to the 1^st and 2^nd quartile, P<0.05 to 3^rd quartile. The data show are ln transformed White bar = 1^st quartile; light grey bar = 2^nd quartile; dark grey bar = 3^rd quartile, black bar = 4^th quartile.

(D) Frequency distribution of plasma adropin data pooled from the current and previously published experiments (n=245).

(E) Frequency distribution of plasma adropin data by sex. The values for the x-axis are the same in panels C and D. Grey line with grey circles = females; black line with black circles = males.