Blood viscosity in human obesity: relation to glucose tolerance and insulin status
Rillaerts, E.; van Gaal, L.; Xiang, D.Z.; Vansant, G.; De Leeuw, I.
International Journal of Obesity 13(6): 739-745
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0307-0565 PMID: 2695480 Document Number: 326771
Obesity is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Rheological disturbances could be factors contributing to these vascular complications. Blood viscosity was evaluated in 128 obese (body mass index (BMI) above 28 kg/msuperscript 2) adults and in 90 non-obese healthy subjects. Whole-blood, plasma and erythrocyte viscosity values were estimated with a Contraves LS30 viscosimeter. Plasma and whole-blood viscosity were increased in the obese subjects. The increased low shear erythrocyte viscosity suggested a diminished erythrocyte deformability in obesity. The rheological abnormalities occurred even without impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes, hypertension or hyperlipaemia. In the obese group the rheological factors showed significant correlations with BMI, insulin or C-peptide area during an oral glucose tolerance test and plasma lipids. The results suggest that obesity per se may be associated with abnormal blood viscosity properties.