Weight Reduction Decreases Soluble Cellular Adhesion Molecules In Obese Women

SUMMARY 1. Obesity is known to increase the risk for atherosclerotic diseases. Serum levels of cellular adhesion molecules are reported to be indices of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of weight reduction on soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (sICAM‐1) and soluble E‐selectin (sE‐selectin). 2. Eighteen non‐diabetic normotensive obese women participated in a 3 month lifestyle‐modification programme (intervention group). The programme consisted of lectures on diet, exercise sessions and behavioural modification by weight charting. Fourteen women who did not enter the programme served as controls. Body fat mass (FM) was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Soluble ICAM‐1 and sE‐selectin were measured by ELISA. 3. After 3 months, sICAM‐1 and sE‐selectin, as well as body FM, decreased in the intervention group (P