Multi-faceted Evaluations Following Weight Reduction in Subjects With Metabolic Syndrome

Central obesity, core of metabolic syndrome, has been recognized as one of the rooting factors for development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Although efforts have been devoted to the studies of central obesity and/or metabolic syndrome, much remained unknown as to how obesity influences cellular as well as cardiac functions, what is the central regulation of one's body weight.

Weight loss is an undisputed way to improve cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in obese individuals. Previous studies have demonstrated that weight loss by 5% of initial weight universally provide substantial benefits in these subjects. However, there are little integrated research teams, composed of different disciplines, share common weight reduction program to look at different aspects of weight reduction in non-diabetic individuals with metabolic syndrome. The significances of this proposal we plan to target, namely Rho kinase activity from peripheral leukocyte, several cardiac functions measured by noninvasive technique (VP-2000) and MRI, circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) levels, are fully explained detailed in each sub-proposal.

In order to accomplish this integrated proposal, we will form research teams including endocrinologists, cardiologists, radiologists, and a coordinating data center. We pan to recruit 40 non-diabetic individuals with metabolic syndrome to participate this 12-16 weeks weight reduction program. Twenty-five age, sex matched non-diabetes lean will be served as controls. Oral glucose tolerance test, fasting blood obtained, noninvasive vascular and MRI examinations will be applied before and after weight reduction program in those achieving at least 5% loss of initial weight.

In summary, this study will investigate the effects of weight loss on (1) Rho kinase activity obtained from peripheral leukocyte; (2). Aortic stiffness, central aortic pressure and hemodynamic by a noninvasive vascular profiling system (VP-2000); (3) Brain function specifically reflecting by circulating BDNF; (4). Aortic elastic properties and left ventricular function by using MRI examinations, in non-diabetic individuals of metabolic syndrome.