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Reduced oxidized low-density lipoprotein after weight reduction in obese premenopausal women

International Journal of Obesity volume 25, pages 205–211 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Several studies support the hypothesis that oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) promotes atherogenesis. Obesity is one of the risk factors of atherosclerosis, but it is not known whether obesity is related to LDL oxidation.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: We investigated the effect of weight reduction and subsequent weight maintenance program on LDL oxidation in 77 obese premenopausal women (BMI 29–46 kg/m2). Another group of seven obese women served as a control group. Oxidized LDL was measured as baseline concentration of conjugated dienes in LDL lipids (ox-LDL). The weight reduction was performed in 12 weeks, using a very-low-energy diet.

RESULTS: The mean weight loss was 13 kg (92 vs 79 kg). During weight reduction, the concentration of LDL cholesterol decreased by 11%, the concentration of ox-LDL decreased by 40%, and the ratio of ox-LDL to LDL by 33%. The concentration of LDL antioxidant capacity (LDL-TRAP) decreased by 8%, but the decrease was caused by the decrease in LDL. The concentration of LDL, ox-LDL or LDL-TRAP did not change in the control group. The weight reduction correlated with the decrease of ox-LDL. During the subsequent 9 month weight maintenance programme, the concentrations of serum LDL (10%), ox-LDL (11%), LDL-TRAP (29%), and the ratio of LDL-TRAP to LDL (21%) decreased.

CONCLUSION: This study strengthens the evidence that the risk of atherogenesis is influenced favourably by weight reduction in obese women. This risk reduction is associated with a reduced oxidation of LDL.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Juho Vainio Foundation; the Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research; the Turku University Foundation; the Finnish Heart Association; the Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation; the Finnish Ministry of Education; Leiras Oy, Turku, Finland; and Nycomed Pharma AS, Oslo, Norway.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sports Medical Research Unit, Paavo Nurmi Center, Finland

    T Vasankari

  2. The Finnish Sports Institute, Viermäki, Finland

    T Vasankari

  3. The UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Tampere, Finland

    M Fogelholm, K Kukkonen-Harjula, A Nenonen, P Oja & I Vuori

  4. Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital, Tampere, Finland

    A Nenonen

  5. Unit for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    U Kujala

  6. Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    P Pasanen & K Neuvonen

  7. Department of Physiology, MCA Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    M Ahotupa

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  1. T Vasankari
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Correspondence to T Vasankari.

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Vasankari, T., Fogelholm, M., Kukkonen-Harjula, K. et al. Reduced oxidized low-density lipoprotein after weight reduction in obese premenopausal women. Int J Obes 25, 205–211 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801533

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