Weight Loss Reduce hsCRP Levels in Korean Premenopausal Obese Women

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Obesity has been proposed as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. CRP has been proposed as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and has been associated with body weight and body fatness. It has been known that weight reduction reduces CRP. We examined the hypothesis that weight loss can reduce plasma CRP levels in Korean, obese premenopausal women. METHODS: In a sample of 36 Korean obese (BMI 25.00~47.02 kg/m2), premenopausal (22~48 years) women, we measured hsCRP, plasma lipid profiles, blood glucose, body weight, body mass indexes, body fatness and intra abdominal body fat area. A 12-week weight reduction program was conducted in 36 obese women. When the program was finished, fat distribution, hsCRP and lipid profile test was repeated. The effects of weight loss on CRP levels were tested by means of paired t-test and nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: We found that plasma CRP level was positively associated with body weight, body mass index, body fatness, CT-measured abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat area. After a 12-week weight loss protocol, the average weight loss was 7.97+/-3.46 kg (P<0.0001) with loss of fat mass 5.29+/-0.59 kg, and 1.98+/-1.20 kg lean body mass. Plasma CRP levels were both positively associated with plasma CRP level reductions (P=0.0437). CONCLUSION: Obesity and adiposity influenced significantly on plasma CRP in Korean premenopausal women on cross sectional basis. Moreover, 12-week caloric restriction induced weight loss decreased plasma CRP levels. Weight loss represents an intervention to reduce plasma CRP and can mediate to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in Korean obese premenopausal women.