Obesity and activated protein C resistance

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Hematology
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Obesity is linked to increased thrombotic risk.
• Activated protein C resistance (APC-R) is a potential contributor to this risk.
• The effect of weight loss on APC-R in obese individuals requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess activated protein C resistance (APC-R) in severely/morbidly obese patients compared to healthy controls.
• To evaluate the impact of a 3-month dietary intervention and subsequent weight loss on APC-R and prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 levels.

Main Methods:

• Anthropometric and analytical evaluations were performed on 63 obese patients and 65 healthy volunteers.
• Measurements included activated protein C sensitivity ratios and prothrombin fragment F1 + 2.
• Evaluations were conducted at baseline and after a 3-month diet.

Main Results:

• Obese patients exhibited higher prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 levels than controls, indicating increased thrombin generation.
• No significant differences in activated protein C sensitivity ratios were observed between obese patients and controls.
• Following weight loss, prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 levels decreased, but activated protein C sensitivity remained unchanged.

Conclusions:

• The study did not identify an activated protein C-resistant phenotype in severely or morbidly obese subjects.
• Weight loss effectively reduced markers of coagulation activation (prothrombin fragment F1 + 2) in obese patients.
• These findings suggest that APC-R is not a primary factor in the thrombotic risk associated with obesity.