Find in Library

<p class="abstract"><strong>Abstract</strong></p> <p class="abstract"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; BACKGROUND:</strong><strong> </strong>obesity is one of the most important risk factors in chronic diseases, like coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus. It is believed that elevated levels of C- reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen are associated with increased cardiovascular risk.</p> <p class="abstract">We examined the hypothesis that weight loss would reduce plasma CRP and fibrinogen levels in obese women.</p> <p class="abstract"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; METHODS:</strong> Body weight, fasting glucose, insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high- density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low- density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and acute phase proteins were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of weight loss regimen in 29 obese women.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p class="abstract"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; RESULTS: </strong>Weight, BMI, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride had significant reductions. HDL-C had increased significantly. No significant changes were observed in LDL-C and insulin concentrations. Plasma acute phase proteins levels decreased significantly.<strong></strong></p> <p class="abstract"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; CONCLUSION: </strong>Weight loss may represent an important intervention to reduce acute phase protein levels, which may mediate its cardioprotective effects in obese women.</p> <p class="abstract">&nbsp;</p><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"><tbody><tr><td width="35" height="12"><br /></td></tr> <tr><td><br /></td> <td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="abstract">&nbsp;</p> <br /> <p class="abstract"><strong>Keywords:</strong> Obesity, weight loss, acute phase proteins, cardiovascular disease, women.</p>