Weight loss reduces vascular
inflammatory markers in obese women
(May 29, 2003 - Obesity
Therapy)
Weight loss reduced the
vascular inflammatory markers and insulin resistance in obese women.
According to recent research from Italy, "Obesity is an independent risk
factor for cardiovascular disease, which may be mediated by increased
secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by adipose tissue."
Katherine Esposito and colleagues at the Second University of Naples
conducted a single-blind, randomized trial to "determine the effect of a
program of changes in lifestyle designed to obtain a sustained reduction of
body weight on markers of systemic vascular inflammation and insulin
resistance."
The trial involved "120 premenopausal obese women (body mass indexgreater
than or equal to30), aged 20 to 46 years, without diabetes, hypertension, or
hyperlipidemia," reported the investigators.
"The 60
women randomly assigned to the intervention group received detailed advice
about how to achieve a reduction of weight of 10% or more through a
low-energy Mediterranean-style diet and increased physical activity," said
Esposito and her collaborators. "The control group (n=60) was given general
information about healthy food choices and exercise. After 2 years, women in
the intervention group consumed more foods rich in complex carbohydrates (9%
corrected difference; p<0.001), monounsaturated fat (2%; p=.009), and fiber
(7 g/d; p<0.001); had a lower ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids (-5;
p<0.001); and had lower energy (-310 kcal/d; p<0.001), saturated fat (-3.5%;
p=0.007), and cholesterol intake (-92 mg/d; p<0.001) than controls."
The researchers found, "Body mass index decreased more in the intervention
group than in controls (-4.2; p<0.001), as did serum concentrations of IL-6
(-1.1 pg/mL; p=0.009), IL-18 (-57 pg/mL; p=0.02), and CRP (-1.6 mg/L;
p=0.008), while adiponectin levels increased significantly (2.2 microgram/mL;
p=0.01). In multivariate analyses, changes in free fatty acids (p=0.008),
IL-6 (p=0.02), and adiponectin (p=0.007) levels were independently
associated with changes in insulin sensitivity."
The researchers concluded, "In this study, a multidisciplinary program aimed
to reduce body weight in obese women through lifestyle changes was
associated with a reduction in markers of vascular inflammation and insulin
resistance."
Esposito and her coauthors published their study in JAMA - Journal of the
American Medical Association (Effect of weight loss and lifestyle changes on
vascular inflammatory markers in obese women - A randomized trial. JAMA,
2003;289(14):1799-1804).
The information in this article comes under the major subject areas of
Obesity Therapy, Weight Loss, and Heart Disease Risk Factor. This article
was prepared by Women's Health Weekly editors from staff and other reports.
©Copyright 2003, Women's Health Weekly via NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net
