Aerobic Exercise and Weight Loss Reduce Vascular Markers of Inflammation and Improve Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Women

Objectives To examine the relationships between plasma and tissue markers of systemic and vascular inflammation and obesity and insulin resistance and determine the effects of aerobic exercise training plus weight loss (AEX+WL) and weight loss (WL) alone on these biomarkers. Design Prospective controlled study. Setting Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University research setting. Participants Overweight and obese sedentary postmenopausal women (N = 77). Interventions Six months, 3 d/wk AEX+WL (n = 37) or WL (n = 40). Measurements Total‐body dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry, abdominal computed tomography, hyperinsulinemic‐euglycemic clamps (a criterion standard method of assessing insulin sensitivity), adipose tissue biopsies (n = 28), and blood for homeostasis model assessment—insulin resistance, and soluble forms of intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM‐1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM‐1), C‐reactive protein (CRP), and serum amyloid A (SAA). Results Body weight (P