Modest weight gain of approximately 4 kg in healthy volunteers significantly impaired endothelial function, with flow-mediated dilation decreasing from 9.1% to 7.8% (p=0.003).
RCT (n=43)
randomized
Does modest weight gain impair endothelial function in normal-weight healthy humans?
Modest visceral fat gain impairs endothelial function in healthy young subjects, an effect that is reversible with weight loss.
p-value: p=0.003
This study sought to determine the impact of fat gain and its distribution on endothelial function in lean healthy humans. Endothelial dysfunction has been identified as an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. Whether fat gain impairs endothelial function is unknown. A randomized controlled study to assess the effects of fat gain on endothelial function. We recruited 43 normal weight healthy volunteers (mean age 29 years; 18 women). Subjects were assigned to gain weight (approximately 4 kg) (n=35) or to maintain weight (n=8). Endothelial function (brachial artery flow mediated dilation -FMD) was measured at baseline, after fat gain (8 weeks) and after weight loss (16 weeks) for fat-gainers and at baseline and follow-up (8 weeks) for weight-maintainers. Body composition was measured by DXA and abdominal CT scans. After an average weight gain of 4.1 kg, fat-gainers significantly increased their total, visceral and subcutaneous fat. Blood pressure and overnight polysomnography did not change after fat gain or loss. FMD remained unchanged in weight-maintainers. FMD decreased in fat-gainers (9.1 ± 3% vs. 7.8 ± 3.2%, p =0.003), but recovered to baseline when subjects shed the gained weight. There was a significant correlation between the decrease in FMD and the increase in visceral fat gain (rho = −0.42, p=0.004), but not with subcutaneous fat gain (rho = −0.22, p=0.15). In normal weight healthy young subjects, modest fat gain results in impaired endothelial function, even in the absence of changes in blood pressure. Endothelial function recovers after weight loss. Increased visceral rather than subcutaneous fat predicts endothelial dysfunction. Keywords: weight gain, endothelial function, visceral fat
“The effects of obesity on heart health receives a lot of attention, but less scrutiny has been given to the impact on the endothelium of modest weight gain in otherwise healthy people. In fact, many adults accept this kind of weight gain -- 9 or 10 pounds -- as just part of aging. The assumption has generally been that a modest rise in body fat was more an issue of going up a clothing size, not a health issue. This study suggests otherwise, providing evidence that may help change our cultural attitude to the implications of modest weight gain as we age -- and perhaps strengthen the argument for diet and exercise to control weight as a means of protecting against cardiovascular disease.”
Romero‐Corral et al. (Sun,) conducted a rct in Healthy volunteers (n=43). Weight gain vs. Weight maintenance was evaluated on Endothelial function (brachial artery flow-mediated dilation) (p=0.003). Modest weight gain of approximately 4 kg in healthy volunteers significantly impaired endothelial function, with flow-mediated dilation decreasing from 9.1% to 7.8% (p=0.003).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: