Effect of a Reduced-Calorie Diet on Plasma Levels of Inflammatory and Metabolic Factors in Overweight/Obese Patients with Cardiovascular Risk Factors.

Abstract

Calorie restriction without malnutrition is likely to improve cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate calorie restriction on markers of cardiometabolic risk in overweight/obese adults with cardiovascular risk factors. In a parallel controlled trial, patients with overweight or obesity and one or more cardiovascular risk factor were randomized to a modest reduced-calorie diet (75% of the total calculated energy requirements) or control (no calorie restriction) groups and followed up for two months. Body weight, dietary intake, fasting plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neuropeptide Y (NPY), lipids, and glycemic factors were measured at baseline, and after two months. The differences were analyzed with analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Sixty-six participants (33 in each group) completed the study. Body weight changed in the reduced-calorie diet group (- 3.05 ± 2.65 kg), and blood pressure was improved (systolic -6.96 ± 12.04 and diastolic - 3.90 ± 8.97 mmHg). The reduced-calorie diet improved plasma ICAM-1 (change from baseline - 0.45 ± 1.99 ng/mL, P = 0.033, ANCOVA), MCP-1 (change from baseline - 0.50 pg/mL, P = 0.011, ANCOVA), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (change from baseline - 9.35 ± 19.61 mg/dL, P < 0.001, ANCOVA), and triglyceride (change from baseline -33.66 ± 49.08, P = 0.001, ANCOVA), but BDNF, NPY, and other cardiometabolic factors were not different. In overweight/obese subjects with cardiovascular risk factors which have been under medical treatment with risk-reducing medications, a modest weight loss induced by a reduced-calorie diet improved lipid profile, blood pressure, and reduced ICAM-1 and MCP-1 levels but had no effect on plasma BDNF or glycemic factors.