The effects of obesity and non-pharmacological weight loss on vascular and ventricular function and structure

• Published in: Diabetes, obesity & metabolism obesity & metabolism, 2008-10, Vol.10 (10), p.874-884
• Main Authors: Skilton, M. R., Sieveking, D. P., Harmer, J. A., Franklin, J., Loughnan, G., Nakhla, S., Sullivan, D. R., Caterson, I. D., Celermajer, D. S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biomarkers - blood; cardiovascular disease; Carotid Arteries - diagnostic imaging; Case-Control Studies; Chi-Square Distribution; E-Selectin - blood; Echocardiography; endothelial function; Exercise - physiology; Female; Humans; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 - blood; Male; obesity; Obesity - blood; Obesity - physiopathology; Obesity - therapy; Prospective Studies; Regional Blood Flow - physiology; Tunica Intima - diagnostic imaging; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 - blood; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left - blood; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left - diagnostic imaging; ventricular function; weight loss; Weight Loss - physiology
• ISSN: 1462-8902; 1463-1326
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-1326.2007.00817.x

Aims:  The mechanisms by which obesity confers increased cardiovascular risk and the effects of moderate weight loss on cardiovascular health are incompletely understood. We sought to characterize the preclinical changes in cardiac and vascular health that accompany obesity and the influence of lifestyle modification on these parameters. Methods:  Preclinical markers of vasculopathy in resistance vessels and conduit arteries and left ventricular structure and function were assessed in 39 obese subjects (BMI > 30 kg/m2) and 11 healthy weight controls. The influence of serum on cellular adhesion molecule (CAM) expression on human endothelial cells was studied ex vivo in a subgroup of 13 obese and nine healthy weight subjects. These analyses were repeated in all 17 of the obese subjects who complied with 4–9 months of lifestyle modification treatment (six with weight loss >5% and 11 with weight loss