ABSTRACT
Concentrations of adhesion molecules are raised in obese individuals but the mechanisms for this are unclear. Th e eff ect of obesity on cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) is relatively modest, with those in the highest quintile of body mass index having median levels 14% higher than those in the lowest quintile for intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). Weight loss of 7-18% following either lifestyle programs or bariatric surgery reduces ICAM-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin by 15-28%, 15% and 20-35% respectively. Th erefore, weight loss has a relatively modest and highly variable eff ect on CAMs but levels remain raised as study participants frequently remain overweight or obese. Dietary composition during weight loss appears to have little impact on reducing levels of adhesion molecules. Th ere are a small number of studies exploring the eff ect of dietary composition on CAMs.
