title: Weight reduction with very-low-caloric diet and endothelial function in overweight adults: role of plasma glucose.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Obesity is associated with endothelial dysfunction that may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. We studied whether weight reduction improves endothelial function in overweight individuals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Flow-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation of the brachial artery was measured in 67 adults (age: 46+/-7 years, body mass index: 35.2+/-5.4 kg/m2) before and after a 6-week weight reduction program induced by very-low-calorie diet (daily energy: 580 kcal/2.3 MJ). Caloric restriction reduced body weight from 101+/-18 to 90+/-17 kg. Flow-mediated vasodilation increased from 5.5%+/-3.7 to 8.8%+/-3.7% (P<0.0001). Nitrate-mediated vasodilation was not significantly affected. The improvement in flow-mediated dilation was associated with the reduction in plasma glucose concentration (P=0.0003). This relationship was independent of changes in weight, serum lipids, oxidized LDL, C-reactive protein, adiponectin, blood pressure, and insulin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Weight reduction with very-low-calorie diet improves flow-mediated vasodilation in obese individuals. This improvement is related to the reduction in plasma glucose concentration. These observations suggest that changes in glucose metabolism may determine endothelial vasodilatory function in obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raitakari
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ilvonen
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahotupa
authors.forename: Terho
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lehtimäki
authors.forename: Aimo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harmoinen
authors.forename: Pauli
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Suominen
authors.forename: Juhani
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Elo
authors.forename: Jaakko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hartiala
authors.forename: Olli T
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Raitakari
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005526:Food, Formulated; D018056:Hemorheology; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014664:Vasodilation; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008055:Lipids; D011506:Proteins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein