Effect of Weight Loss and Lifestyle Changes on Vascular Inflammatory Markers in Obese Women

Abstract

THE RATE OF OBESITY AND THE numbers of dieters are increasing in parallel. More than 54 million Americans are currently dieting, yet the epidemic of obesity continues virtually unabated with no sign of reversal. Obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Adipocytes synthesize and secrete several cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor , interleukin 6 (IL-6), and adiponectin, the latter being one of the most abundant adipose tissue–specific adipocytokines. Elevated levels of several proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor , as well as the sensitive marker of inflammation C-reactive protein (CRP), have been found associated with proxy indicators of elevated body fat (body weight and body mass index [BMI], calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) and with cardiovascular disease risk factors. Moreover, several proinflammatory molecules, including CRP, IL-6, and IL-18, have been prospectively associated with thrombotic cardiovascular events. For the present study in obese women, we measured the serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-18, and CRP, as well as adiponectin, the novel adipocytokine with anti-inflammatory and insulinsensitizing properties, and their rela-