Artery Research (Aug 2020)

Effects of Weight Loss on Vascular Function in Obese Individuals with Poor Cardiovascular Health: Design and Research Protocol of an Interventional Clinical Trial

  • Michelle Rabello Cunha,
  • Samanta Souza Mattos,
  • Marcia Regina Simas Torres Klein,
  • Wille Oigman,
  • Mario Fritsch Neves

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2991/artres.k.200731.001
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 26, no. 3

Abstract

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Introduction: Excessive adipose tissue is associated with adverse metabolic effects and is an important risk factor for chronic diseases. According to the American Heart Association, most cardiovascular events can be prevented by adhering to healthy practices, reflecting cardiovascular health as poor, intermediate, and good. Objective: To evaluate the effect of weight loss on vascular function, metabolic profile and inflammatory markers of obese subjects with poor cardiovascular health. Methods: Obese individuals, both sexes, aged 40–70 years, will be instructed to follow a hypocaloric diet (−800 Kcal/day) for 16 weeks. Before and after intervention, participants will undergo clinical, nutritional (anthropometry and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), biochemical, vascular and sleep evaluation. Patients will be submitted to sympathetic tone assessment using a frequency meter Polar® RS800 (Polar Electro OY, Kempele, Finland), oscillometric pulse wave analysis by Mobil-O-Graph® (IEM, Stolberg, Germany), post-occlusive microvascular reactivity by laser speckle contrast imaging, carotid ultrasound and degree of obstructive sleep apnea through the home polysomnography device (WatchPAT 200®). Serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and C-reactive protein will be determined. Participants will be stratified in two groups according to cardiovascular health (poor vs. intermediate/ideal). Cardiovascular health is said to be ideal by the presence of optimal health behaviors (non-smokers, adequate body mass index, physical activity level and healthy eating pattern) and health factors (blood pressure, total cholesterol and blood glucose). Ideal cardiovascular health is considered for those with five or more metrics within this qualification, intermediate for presence of three or four metrics and poor for two or less metrics.

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