Rasmus Michael Sandsdal, Joachim Holt, Haithem Ghalib Ali Alkhefagie, Julie Rehné Jørgensen, Christian R. Juhl, Lisa M. Olsen, Sarah Byberg, Roopameera Thirumathyam, Lasse Gliemann, Bente Stallknecht, Jens J. Holst, Jens Dahlgaard Hove, Thomas Bandholm, Kirstine N. Bojsen‐Møller, Sten Madsbad, Joachim Størling, Else Marie Bladbjerg, Charalambos Antoniades, Simon Birk Kjær Jensen, Signe S. Torekov
Obesity and inactivity are linked to endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. In this secondary analysis of the S-LiTE trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04122716 ; EudraCT identifier: 2015-005585-32 ), 130 adults with obesity completed a diet-induced weight loss plan, followed by randomization to weight maintenance with exercise and/or liraglutide for 52 weeks. We show that exercise, alone or in combination with liraglutide, reduces carotid intima-media thickness and systemic pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (interleukin-6 and interferon-γ). Combination treatment also improves endothelial function biomarkers (sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and tPA). Liraglutide alone shows no such improvements. Overall, regular physical activity, with or without GLP-1R agonists, is essential for promoting vascular health in adults with obesity.