VLCD-Induced Weight Loss Improves Heart Rate Variability in Moderately Obese Japanese
Abstract
To evaluate the effects of weight reduction on the autonomic nervous system in obese patients, we investigated heart rate variability (HRV) based on 24-hr ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings before and after weight reduction. To aim for weight reduction, 16 obese patients were treated with the very-low-calorie conventional Japanese diet (VLCD-CJ) therapy combined with behavior therapy. Percent weight reduction was 17.8% ± 1.5% (means ± SEM), but mean blood pressure did not change significantly after VLCD-CJ therapy. The mean normal R-R interval (mNN) of the 24-hr ECG and all other five time-domain indices increased after weight reduction. Spectral analysis revealed that weight reduction increased the high frequency (HF) component, but decreased the ratio of low to high (LF/HF) components. Rate of change in mNN or HF correlated positively with reduction rate of body mass index, but not that in LF/HF. Analysis of daily fluctuations in each HRV parameter showed that significant improvement after weight loss occurred mainly during the nocturnal period, but an HF component was improved throughout the day and night periods. These findings indicate that functional impairment of the autonomic nervous system in obese subjects, particularly in the nocturnal period, is improved by effective weight reduction after VLCD-CJ therapy.
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Elevated cytokine levels have been implicated in mediating insulin resistance and atherosclerosis.
“Obesity, on the other hand, is characterized by diminished vagus nerve output and elevated cytokine levels, which have been implicated in mediating insulin resistance and atherosclerosis (91)(92)(93)(94)(95).”
From Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway (2007) · cites this paper as [92]
Obesity is characterized by diminished vagus nerve output.
“Obesity, on the other hand, is characterized by diminished vagus nerve output and elevated cytokine levels, which have been implicated in mediating insulin resistance and atherosclerosis (91)(92)(93)(94)(95).”
From Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway (2007) · cites this paper as [92]
Obesity is characterized by elevated cytokine levels.
“Obesity, on the other hand, is characterized by diminished vagus nerve output and elevated cytokine levels, which have been implicated in mediating insulin resistance and atherosclerosis (91)(92)(93)(94)(95).”
From Physiology and immunology of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway (2007) · cites this paper as [92]
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- Authors
- Akehi, Y., Yoshimatsu, H., Kurokawa, M., Sakata, T., Eto, H., Ito, S., & Ono, J.
- Affiliations
- Oita University (JP)
- Yufuin Hospital (JP)
- Fukuoka University (JP)
- Corresponding author
- Sakata, Toshiie
- Venue
- Experimental Biology and Medicine
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media SA
- Published
- 2001-01
- Volume
- 226
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 440-445
- ISSN
- 0071-3384 (ISSN-L)
- 1535-3702
- 1535-3699
- OpenAlex
- W1877589062
- Cited by
- 37
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 0.49
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Experimental Biology and Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiovascular Function and Risk Factors
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Vagus Nerve Stimulation Research
- Keywords
- very low calorie diet, weight loss, heart rate variability, obesity, autonomic nervous system, sympathovagal balance, body mass index, blood pressure, behavior therapy, Japanese diet
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Autonomic Nervous System, Diet, Reducing, Female, Heart Rate, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Weight Loss, Electrocardiography, Ambulatory
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