To evaluate the effects of weight reduction on whole blood viscosity and its major determinants (hematocrit, plasma fibrinogen and plasma viscosity), plasma fibronectin (Fn), and certain coagulant factors (F VIII: C and F VIII R: Ag), 16 obese patients (7 female and 9 male) aged 17-52, with BMI of more than 30, were studied before and after a low-calorie diet (600 kcal/day). Whole blood viscosity and some hemorheological parameters (plasma fibrinogen, plasma Fn, and F VIII: C and VIII R: Ag) were corrected at 42 per cent hematocrit. The degree of glucose intolerance had no significant influence on the hemorheological parameters studied. Before weight reduction, the obese patients had elevated whole blood, plasma and serum viscosity, and plasma Fn levels. After an average weight loss of 10.7±4.3 Kg (±SD), blood viscosity and plasma Fn levels were significantly reduced. However, plasma fibrinogen, F VIII: C and VIII R: Ag levels remained unchanged throughout the study. Changes in plasma Fn were significantly correlated with the magnitude of reduction in body fat and with blood viscosity at high shear rate.
These results suggest that hemorheological abnormalities found in moderate obesity may contribute to hypercoagulable tendency and/or atherosclerotic lesion, and that a weight reduction may serve to prevent the occurrence of such abnormalities in obesity.

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