title: Effects of weight loss on epicardial adipose tissue thickness and its relationship between serum soluble CD40 ligand levels in obese men.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) induces activated inflammatory cells secreting cytokines, including soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L). In turn, the serum sCD40L can trigger inflammatory responses. We examined the reduction of EAT in response to weight loss (WL) and its relationship with alterations in sCD40L in obese men.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively provided dietary education and exercise intervention for 3 months for 32 non-diabetic obese men with metabolic syndrome. Twenty-five age-matched healthy men served as controls. Circulating sCD40L was measured, and EAT thickness (EATt) was determined by magnetic resonance imaging before and after WL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EATt was increased in the obese individuals, but there were no significant differences in baseline serum sCD40L levels between the 2 groups. Serum concentrations of sCD40L were higher in individuals with high right atrioventricular groove (RAVG)-EATt. EATt was reduced significantly in individuals who completed the weight-loss program. In addition, a positive correlation was shown between changes in sCD40L and RAVG-EATt. Multiple linear regression analysis showed the change in sCD40L to be independently associated with the change in RAVG-EATt.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  WL can significantly reduce epicardial fat thickness, and the reduced EATt after WL may provide a beneficial reduction in circulating levels of sCD40L in obese males.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Po
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Wayne H-H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Sheu
authors.forename: I-Te
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: I-Chen
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Wen-Jane
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kae-Woei
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Wen-Lieng
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Shih-Yi
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D010496:Pericardium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D023201:CD40 Ligand; D002097:C-Reactive Protein