WEIGHT LOSS REDUCES C- REACTIVE PROTEIN an‎d FIBRINOGEN LEVELS IN OBESE WOMEN

BACKGROUND: 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. We examined the hypothesis that weight loss would reduce plasma CRP and fibrinogen levels in obese women. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: Weight loss may represent an important intervention to reduce acute phase protein levels, which may mediate its cardioprotective effects in obese women.