RÉSUMÉ
To evaluate circulating levels of sICAM-1, and sE-Selectin as indices of endothelial activation in a sample of obese young Egyptian females. Thirty obese and 30 non-obese premenopausal females were included in the study. They were subjected to complete clinical examination, and measurement of body mass index [BMI] and waist/hip ratio [W/H ratio]. Laboratory measurements included serum cholesterol [TC], serum LDL and HDL cholesterol, serum triglycerides [TG] and body fat%. Serum sICAM-1 and sE-Selectin concentrations were measured with ELISA technique. The treatment program included balanced low calorie food regimen and daily exercise therapy for 45-60 minutes at the intensity of 70-85% of maximum heart rate. Obese patients were reassessed after 3 months. Results: Obese females had significantly higher DM1, TC, LDL cholesterol, TG, body fat% and plasma levels of sE-Selectin and sICAM-1. HDL cholesterol was significantly lower in the obese group. Highly significant correlations were found between sE-Selectin and BMI, W/H ratio, TC, LDL cholesterol and body fat%. There was a significant correlation with TG, while sICAM-1 significantly correlated with BMI, TC and LDL cholesterol. A negative significant correlation was found between HDL cholesterol and CAMs. After treatment program, serum levels of sE-Selectin, sICAM-1 were significantly lowered with significant reductions in BMI, TC, LDL cholesterol, and TG and body fat%. Circulating levels of sE-Selectin and sICAM-1 are related to anthropometric and metabolic measures f obesity. sE-Selectin showed the strongest association with central obesity. Combined weight reduction, physical activity resulted in decrease in sE-Selectin and sICAM-1 levels