Obesity is commonly associated with a high incidence and prevalence of dyslipidaemia, cardiovascular disease and Type II diabetes. Interestingly, studies have also reported decreased antioxidant levels in obese subjects. This may constitute an independent risk factor in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease as obese subjects would have a decreased capacity to prevent the oxidative modification of low-density lipoproteins, which is a mechanism suggested as central to the development of atherogenesis. As part of a study to investigate responses to weight loss, we have assessed the effects on GSH status of a decrease in body mass of 5%, either after 6 days of complete starvation or 11 days of a very low calorie diet (2.55MJ/day). There were significant differences between the two groups in the synthesis rate of erythrocyte GSH in response to weight loss. Both the fractional and the erythrocyte synthesis rate of GSH decreased significantly (P<0.01) in the starvation group by 22% and 16% respectively. In contrast, no change in synthesis rates was observed in the very low calorie diet group (P>0.05). Total erythrocyte concentration of GSH was unaffected by the weight loss within both groups. These results suggest that erythrocyte GSH synthesis is depressed in response to a very rapid weight loss induced by fasting. An acute reduction in GSH synthesis in response to a rapid weight loss may constitute a risk factor during periods of increased GSH demands.
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Research Article|
April 22 2002
The effect of rate of weight loss on erythrocyte glutathione concentration and synthesis in healthy obese men
Peter FABER;
*Rowett Research Institute, Greenburn Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB21 9SB, Scotland, U.K.
†University of Southern Denmark, Institute of Clinical Research, Kloevervaenget 10, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
Correspondence: Dr P. Faber (e-mail [email protected]).
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Alexandra M. JOHNSTONE;
Alexandra M. JOHNSTONE
†University of Southern Denmark, Institute of Clinical Research, Kloevervaenget 10, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
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Eileen R. GIBNEY;
Eileen R. GIBNEY
‡Department of Biological and Nutritional Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle NE1 7RU, U.K.
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Marinos ELIA;
Marinos ELIA
§Institute of Human Nutrition, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, U.K.
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R. James STUBBS;
R. James STUBBS
†University of Southern Denmark, Institute of Clinical Research, Kloevervaenget 10, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
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Gary G. DUTHIE;
Gary G. DUTHIE
†University of Southern Denmark, Institute of Clinical Research, Kloevervaenget 10, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
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A. Graham CALDER;
A. Graham CALDER
†University of Southern Denmark, Institute of Clinical Research, Kloevervaenget 10, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
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Gerald E. LOBLEY
Gerald E. LOBLEY
†University of Southern Denmark, Institute of Clinical Research, Kloevervaenget 10, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Accepted:
January 09 2001
Received:
July 04 2001
Revision Received:
October 15 2001
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
The Biochemical Society and the Medical Research Society © 2002
2002
Clin Sci (Lond) (2002) 102 (5): 569–577.
Article history
Accepted:
January 09 2001
Received:
July 04 2001
Revision Received:
October 15 2001
Citation
Peter FABER, Alexandra M. JOHNSTONE, Eileen R. GIBNEY, Marinos ELIA, R. James STUBBS, Gary G. DUTHIE, A. Graham CALDER, Gerald E. LOBLEY; The effect of rate of weight loss on erythrocyte glutathione concentration and synthesis in healthy obese men. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 May 2002; 102 (5): 569–577. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/cs1020569
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