Post-prandial endothelial dysfunction is ameliorated following weight loss in obese premenopausal women.
BACKGROUND
Endothelial dysfunction and postprandial hyperglycemia represent independent risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Obesity is connected with endothelial impairments; however, it is unclear whether weight loss can modify endothelial function during the postprandial period. The aim of this study was to evaluate endothelial response (post-ischemic forearm blood flow, PIFBF) in a fasted state and following ingestion of 75 g glucose before and after very low caloric diet (VLCD).


METHODS
40 obese premenopausal women (age 39.6 ± 7.8 years, BMI 34.3 ± 3.2 kg/m2) participated in 4-week very low caloric diet (VLCD, 800 kcal/day). Before and after VLCD, the baseline blood flow and PIFBF were measured using a mercury strain gauge plethysmography in fasting state as well as 1 hour after ingestion of 75 g glucose.


RESULTS
Dietary intervention resulted in a 7% weight loss (p<0.05) and a decrease in insulin resistance index HOMA-IR (2.44 ± 1.25 vs. 1.66 ± 0.81, p<0.05). Before VLCD intervention, PIFBF following oral glucose challenge decreased by 8.2 ± 9.1 ml/min/100 g tissue, while after weight loss identical stimulus increased PIFBF by 4.2 ± 8.9 ml/min/100 g tissue (p<0.05). Plasma ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 decreased by 8% and 10%, respectively, throughout the study.


CONCLUSIONS
Postprandial endothelial dysfunction is ameliorated following weight loss in obese women. This finding demonstrates the beneficial effects of weight reduction on atherosclerosis risk.
2nd Internal Medicine Department, University Hospital of Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic.
Marcela
M
Haspicova
David
D
Milek
Michaela
M
Siklova-Vitkova
Zuzana
Z
Wedellova
Jindriska
J
Hejnova
Magda
M
Bajzova
Vladimir
V
Stich
Jan
J
Polak
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001786:Blood Glucose; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010991:Plethysmography; D019518:Postprandial Period / Q000502:physiology*; D017697:Premenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*
D001786:Blood Glucose