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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #217579
Title: Cholesterol Metabolism and Body Composition in Women: The Effects of Moderate Weight Loss

Author
item SANTOSA, SILVIA - MCGILL UNIVERSITY
item DEMONTY, ISABELLE - MCGILL UNIVERSITY
item Lichtenstein, Alice
item JONES, PETER - UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA

Submitted to: International Journal of Obesity
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/24/2006
Publication Date: 1/30/2007
Citation: Santosa, S., Demonty, I., Lichtenstein, A.H., Jones, P.J. 2007. Cholesterol Metabolism and Body Composition in Women: The Effects of Moderate Weight Loss. International Journal of Obesity. 31:933-941.

Interpretive Summary: The objective of this study was to determine how moderate weight loss caused by decreasing caloric intake and increasing physical activity affects body composition and the way the body handles cholesterol. Thirty-five hypercholesterolemic women completed a 24-week weight loss study. They were counseled to reduce their caloric intake by about one-fifth and were provided with a program that increased their physical activity by about 10%. The recommended diet contained 50-60% calories as carbohydrates, 20% calories as protein, and <30% calories as fat. The subjects lost an average of 12 kg. Both visceral and subcuataneous adipose tissue mass declined after the weight loss. In addition, the rate of cholesterol synthesis (on a percent basis) decreased by 4%, while rates of cholesterol absorption and turnover did not change. Hence, the decreases in cholesterol synthesis caused by moderate weight loss were not compensated for by changes in cholesterol absorption or turnover. Changes in regional body composition were more strongly related to changes in the way the body handles cholesterol than changes in total body fat. These data suggest that changes in cholesterol metabolism resulting from weight loss may help identify individuals at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and allow for earlier and more intensive therapy for the associated dyslipidemia.

Technical Abstract: The objective was to determine how moderate weight loss protocol through diet and exercise may affect changes in body composition, to determine the effects of weight loss on cholesterol metabolism, and to examine the relationship between cholesterol metabolism and changes in body composition. Thirty-five otherwise healthy, hypercholesterolemic women completed a 24-week weight loss study. A 20% decrease in energy intake through diet and a 10% increase in energy expenditure by exercise were combined with motivational strategies to encourage weight loss. The diet was self selected and comprised of 50-60% carbohydrates, 20% protein, and <30% fat. Participants lost an average of 11.7+2.5 kg (P<0.001). Whole body and regional losses in tissue mass occurred after weight loss. After weight loss, cholesterol fractional synthesis rate (FSR) decreased (P=0.003) 3.86+9.33%, while rates of cholesterol absorption and turnover did not change. Changes in cholesterol turnover were positively correlated with changes in FSR. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and VAT:subcuataneous adipose tissue (SAT) was negatively correlated with cholesterol turnover. Losses in skeletal muscle (SM) and upper body SM predicted decreases in cholesterol absorption. In summary, decreases in cholesterol synthesis after moderate weight loss is not compensated for by changes in cholesterol absorption or turnover. Changes in regional body composition were associated with variations in cholesterol metabolism. Changes in cholesterol metabolism resulting from weight loss may help identify individuals at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and allow for earlier and more intensive therapy for the associated dyslipidemia.