Paper
International Journal of Obesity (2005) 29, 1445–1451. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803039; published online 20 September 2005
Effect of weight loss on inflammatory and endothelial markers and FMD using two low-fat diets
P M Clifton1, J B Keogh1, P R Foster1 and M Noakes1
1CSIRO Health Sciences and Nutrition Adelaide South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Correspondence: Dr PM Clifton, CSIRO Health Sciences and Nutrition, PO Box 10041 BC, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia. E-mail: peter.clifton@csiro.au
Received 7 January 2005; Revised 13 April 2005; Accepted 27 May 2005; Published online 20 September 2005.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Cardiovascular disease is strongly associated with obesity and there is evidence that weight loss has positive effects on cardiovascular disease risk. The aims of this study were to compare meal replacements (MR) with a conventional low-fat diet as weight loss strategies and to examine the effect of weight loss on flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and other markers of endothelial function in overweight Australians with raised triglycerides (TG) (>2 mmol/l).
RESEARCH METHODS:
Subjects matched for age, gender, fasting plasma TG and body mass index were randomized to two low- fat high- carbohydrate weight loss strategies (both <6000 kJ), one using MR and the other a structured eating plan, control (C). Subjects followed both diets for 3 months. In total, 55 subjects completed the study. FMD, pulse wave velocity and blood pressure (BP) were measured at baseline and at 3 months, as were fasting blood samples for lipids, glucose, insulin, C reactive protein (CRP) and endothelium-derived factors.
RESULTS:
Mean weight loss was 6.3
3.7 kg (6.04.2 vs 6.633.35 kg, MR vs C) with no difference between diet groups. TG, insulin, CRP, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM1) fell after weight loss, but FMD did not change. Systolic BP fell by 8 mmHg and pulse wave velocity improved.
DISCUSSION:
In subjects with elevated TG, weight loss resulted in significant improvements in cardiovascular risk markers, particularly endothelium-derived factors (PAI-1 and sICAM1). However, FMD did not improve with weight loss.
Keywords:
endothelial function, pulse wave velocity, adhesion molecules, triglyceride, FMD
