Microparticle increase in severe obesity: not related to metabolic syndrome and unchanged after massive weight loss.

Objective: To clarify the relationships between circulating microparticles (MPs), leukocyte-platelet aggregates (LPAs), obesity, and metabolic abnormalities and evaluate the effect of losing weight on these parameters.

Design And Methods: In 151 severely obese women and 60 lean controls, total MPs (annexin-V positive), platelet (annexin V/CD41+) and endothelial (CD31+/CD41-) MPs, and LPAs using flow cytometry, and the presence of metabolic syndrome (MS) were assessed. The effect of weight loss was studied in 32 subjects after a 1 year follow-up.