Effect of diet-induced weight loss on inflammatory cytokines in obese women

Background: Obesity is associated with low-grade systemic inflammation which has been linked to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes in obese patients. Aim: To evaluate changes in pro/anti-inflammatory adipocytokines and metabolic profile after moderate diet-induced weight loss. Subjects and methods: Twenty-nine pre-menopausal obese women (body mass index >= 30 kg/m(2)) aged 21 to 54 years without diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia, were enrolled in this study. We measured anthropometric parameters, lipid and glucose profiles, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and IL-18 in obese women, who then entered a medically supervised program aimed at reducing body weight by 10% or more. Obese women restricted their caloric intake (by 500-1000 kcal/day) and consumed 50 g/day of a fiber supplement (Slim Last Powder) for 12 weeks. Results: By completing the dietary intervention program, weight (Delta=-10.0%, p<0.0001), body mass index, waist circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and fasting plasma glucose significantly decreased, while HDL-cholesterol significantly increased. While plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-18 decreased by 27% after 12 weeks, no significant change was observed in circulating levels of IL-10. Conclusion: Our study suggests that an improved body composition induced by restriction of energy intake is associated with favorable serum concentrations of IL-6 and IL-18 in obese women. However, the anti-inflammatory IL-10 is not affected by a moderate weight decrease. (C)2013, Editrice Kurtis