Expression of ICAM-1 and E-selectin in different metabolic obesity phenotypes: discrepancy for endothelial dysfunction

Objectives Endothelial dysfunction, the earliest vascular alteration, is a consequence of metabolic disorders associated with obesity. However, it is still unclear whether a proportion of obese individuals without metabolic alterations associated with obesity, defined as “metabolically healthy obesity (MHO)”, exhibit better endothelial function. We therefore aimed to investigate the association of different metabolic obesity phenotypes with endothelial dysfunction. Methods The obese participants without clinical cardiovascular disease from the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) were allocated to the different metabolic obesity phenotypes based on their metabolic status, including MHO and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO). Associations of metabolic obesity phenotypes with the biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, including soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin), were evaluated using multiple linear regression models. Results Plasma levels of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin were respectively measured in 2371 and 968 participants. Compared to the non-obese participants, those with MUO were associated with higher concentrations of sICAM-1 (β 22.04, 95% CI 14.33–29.75, P < 0.001) and sE-selectin (β 9.87, 95% CI 6.00–13.75, P < 0.001) after adjusting for confounders. However, no differences were found for the concentrations of sICAM-1 (β 0.70, 95% CI − 8.91 to 10.32, P = 0.886) and sE-selectin (β 3.69, 95% CI − 1.13 to 8.51, P = 0.133) in the participants with MHO compared to the non-obese participants. Conclusions Individuals with MUO were associated with elevated biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, but the association with endothelial dysfunction was not found in those with MHO, indicating that the individuals with MHO might exhibit better endothelial function.