Author/Editor     Mavri, Alenka; Stegnar, Mojca; Sentočnik, Jožica T; Videčnik, Viktor
Title     Impact of weight reduction on early carotid atherosclerosis in obese premenopausal women
Type     članek
Source     Obes Res
Vol. and No.     Letnik 9, št. 9
Publication year     2001
Volume     str. 511-6
Language     eng
Abstract     Objective: To investigate the extent of carotid atherosclerosis and the effect of weight loss on carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in obese premenopausal women. Researchmethods and procedures: In 43 obese premenopausal women who participated in a 3-month weight reduction program with a hypocaloric diet, IMT was measured by B-mode high-resolution ultrasound at entry and after 5 months of follow-up. Blood samples were analyzed at entry, after intervention, and after 5 months of follow-up. Nineteen lean women served as control subjects. Results: At entry, common carotid IMT (0.72 vs. 0.59 mm), carotid bulb IMT (0.90 vs. 0.71 mm), and overall mean IMT (0.81 vs. 0.65 mm) were greater in obese women than in lean women (all p < 0.01). After dietary intervention decreases in blood pressure, low density lipoprotein to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, triglycerides, fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and an increase in tissue-type plasminogen activator activity levels were observed. These effects persisted after follow-up in 14 women who maintained reduced weight. Reduction in carotid bulb IMT (to 0.81 mm, p < 0.01) and overall mean IMT (to 0.79 mm, p < 0.05) was observed in this subgroup. No significant change of carotid IMT was detected in eight women who regained weight. Changes in IMT were associated independently and significantly with changes in body mass index, low density lipoprotein to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen. Disussion: Obese premenopausal women had greater IMT than did age-matched lean controls. It seems that this early atherosclerotic changes may be reversed by normalization of body weight.
Descriptors     CAROTID ARTERY DISEASES
CAROTID ARTERY, COMMON
OBESITY
WEIGHT LOSS
ADULT
TUNICA INTIMA
PREMENOPAUSE
MIDDLE AGE
DIET, REDUCING
CASE-CONTROL STUDIES