Long-Term Effects of Weight Loss and Exercise on Biomarkers Associated with Angiogenesis

Abstract

Background We tested the effect of weight-loss on circulating levels of the angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in postmenopausal overweight/obese women, 18 months after completing a year-long 4-arm randomized controlled trial of behavioral weight loss and/or exercise vs. control (i.e., 30-months post-randomization). Methods 439 overweight/obese, postmenopausal women, 50–75 years, were randomized to: diet (goal: 10% weight-loss, N=118), exercise (225 min/week moderate-to-vigorous activity, N=117), diet+exercise (N=117), or control (N=87). At 12-months, 399 women gave a blood sample; 156 returned at 30-months. Biomarkers were measured by immunoassay. Changes were compared using generalized estimating equations, adjusting for baseline BMI, age, and race/ethnicity. Results Participants randomized to diet, exercise and diet+exercise arms had greater reductions in VEGF at 30 months (−14.1% P=0.02; −19.7% P=0.003; −14.5% P=0.002, respectively), vs. controls (−4.5%). There were no statistically significant changes in PEDF in any intervention arm. Participants maintaining ≥10% of baseline weight-loss at 30-months had greater reductions in VEGF vs. those who gained weight/had no weight change (−22.3% vs. −10.2% respectively, P=0.002). Participants maintaining any weight loss had significantly lower levels of PEDF at 30 months vs. those who gained weight/no weight change. Conclusion Sustained weight loss via diet and/or exercise results in reductions in angiogenic factors, and can be maintained up to 30-month follow-up. Limitations include relatively small numbers, and possible bias towards more successful weight-loss among women who returned at 30 months.

Energy balance and gastrointestinal cancer: risk, interventions, outcomes and mechanisms

“…The formation of new blood vessels is required to supply cells with oxygen and nutrients and to remove products of metabolism 153 . To evaluate the effects of energy balance interventions on circulating levels of angiogenic factors, Duggan and colleagues randomized 439 postmenopausal women who were overweight or obese to diet and/or exercise regimens or a control group 154 . Both exercise and diet interventions led to a reduction in circulating concentrations of the angiogenic protein vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) at a 30-month follow-up point, with greatest effects observed among participants in the exercise intervention group relative to the control group (−19.7% versus −4.5%).…”

Effect of Weight Loss Surgery on Biomarkers of Angiogenesis in Obese Patients

“…Weight loss surgery has become the most popular method to treat morbidly obese patients because it has substantial beneficial associations with weight loss and several clinical outcomes [18]. The recent studies showed that obesity-associated weight loss via diet contributed to the reduction in some circulating levels of positive regulators of angiogenesis [19,20], depending on the extent of weight loss [19]. Other authors demonstrated that PDGF-B-PDGFRβ signaling regulates adipose tissue expansion and glucose metabolism via vascular remodeling in an animal model of diet-induced obesity [5].…”

“…The recent studies showed that obesity-associated weight loss via diet contributed to the reduction in some circulating levels of positive regulators of angiogenesis [ 19 , 20 ], depending on the extent of weight loss [ 19 ]. Other authors demonstrated that PDGF-B-PDGFRβ signaling regulates adipose tissue expansion and glucose metabolism via vascular remodeling in an animal model of diet-induced obesity [ 5 ].…”

Body Fatness, Adipose Tissue Compartments, and Biomarkers of Inflammation and Angiogenesis in Colorectal Cancer: The ColoCare Study

“…However, studies have reported conflicting evidence on the predictive role of body fatness in therapeutic efficacy, presenting none or a negative association between excess adiposity and outcomes of anti-VEGF agents (40–43). Intervention studies among cancer-free individuals with excess body fat have also reported a reduction in circulating VEGF levels associated with diet- and/or exercise-induced weight loss (44–47). These results suggest that the weight loss-induced reduction of adipose tissue does lead to alterations in the production and availability of angiogenesis-related mediators.…”