Obesity and metabolic syndrome 1 175 Obesity and metabolic syndrome 1 P343 THE DYNAMICS OF LEPTIN AND CARNITINE CONCENTRATIONS AND CHANGES OF BODY COMPOSITION IN OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE WOMEN S. Malgorzewicz 1 , E. Aleksandrowicz-Wrona 1 , E. Perlinska 1 , W. Lysiak-Szydlowska 1 . 1 Clinical Nutrition, Medical University, Gdansk, Poland Rationale: Prevalence of overweight and obesity contin- ues to escalate. The aim of the study was estimation of body fat changes, leptin and carnitine concentrations changes during 6 months reduction of weight exercise program. Methods: The study was performed in 74 women in age 21 60 years old undergoing regulary exercise program during 6 months. According to BMI level subjects were divided in two groups: I) overweight, II) obesity. The control group was consisted of 22 healthy female volunteers with normal level of BMI (18.5 24.99 kg/m 2 ). Individuals with the metabolic syndrome were identified using the diagnostic criteria of the International Diabetic Federation. The body composition was determinated by a near infra-red method (NIR). Following parameters were measured: plasma leptin concentration using ELISA method; insulin concentration using MEIA method; carnitine plasma and urine concentrations using method acc. to Cederbald et al.; and lipids profile using colometric method (Roche kits). Results: Mean concentrations of leptin and insulin were significantly lower in study groups after 6-months exercise program (7.5 mg/ml vs 5.3 mg/ml and 8.4 uM/l vs 6.6 mM/L respectively; p < 0.05). The higher contents of LBM (p < 0.05) and lower contents of %F (p < 0.05) were observed in both groups after 6-months of observation. The higher levels of insulin and leptin were observed in obesity group in comparison to overweight group. The plasma leptin levels positively correlated with BMI, WHR, %F and insulin concentration. The results of logistic regression indicated that BMI level and leptin concentration most closely related to the components of the metabolic syndrome in study population. In 11% of overweight and 4% of obesity women reverse the metabolic syndrome was observed. The carnitine levels were stable in study groups without supplementation during observation. Conclusion: 1. The regular physical activity during 6 months observa- tion resulted in reduction of body weight, %F, leptin and insulin levels. 2. Metabolic effects are more significant in group with overweight in comparison to obesity group. 3. In patients with metabolic syndrome the early non- pharmacological intervention are very important. Disclosure of Interest: None declared P344 CIRCULATING PENTRAXIN 3 IS INCREASED IN METABOLIC SYNDROME PATIENTS: ASSOCIATIONS WITH ATHEROGENIC LIPID PROFILE AND SUBCLINICAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS M. Zanetti 1 , R. Barazzoni 1 , A. Bosutti 1 , C. Ferreira 1 , P. Vinci 1 , M. Fonda 2 , M. Valente 3 , L. Cattin 3 , G. Guarnieri 1 . 1 DSCMT, University of Trieste, UCO Clinica Medica, 2 DSCMT, University of Trieste, Diabetes Center, 3 DSCMT, UCO III Medica, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy Rationale: Metabolic syndrome is characterized by in- creased cardiovascular risk. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a novel marker of vascular disease is involved in atherosclerosis. No information is available on PTX3 plasma concentra- tions in metabolic syndrome and on its associations with subclinical atherosclerosis and metabolic alterations. The aim of this study was to assess PTX3 plasma levels in metabolic syndrome patients compared to control subjects and their potential associations with carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT), a marker of sub- clinical atherosclerosis, as well as with anthropometric and clinical components of the syndrome. Methods: Plasma was obtained by metabolic syndrome patients (NCEP-ATP III criteria n = 41, 20M/21F) and by age-matched normal subjects (N = 32, 16M/16F). PTX3 was measured by sandwich ELISA, carotid artery intima- media thickness (cIMT) by ultrasound. Results: Plasma levels of PTX3 were higher (1.015±0.15 ng/mL, P < 0.04) in metabolic syndrome patients com- pared to control subjects (0.488±0.08). In univariate analysis plasma PTX3 was directly (P < 0.05) associated with cIMT in the patients (n = 41). Among metabolic syndrome diagnostic criteria, plasma PTX3 was negatively (P = 0.005) associated with HDL cholesterol and positively (P < 0.05) with plasma triglycerides. In multivariate analysis the direct association between PTX3 and cIMT was no longer significant after correction for HDL. None of these associations were detected in control patients. Conclusion: PTX3, a novel marker of vascular disease, is increased in the metabolic syndrome and is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. This association appears to involve atherogenic changes in plasma lipid profile. Disclosure of Interest: None declared P345 POSITIVE ENERGY BALANCE ACCELERATES MUSCLE ATROPHY AND INCREASES ERYTHROCYTE GLUTATHIONE TURNOVER RATE DURING 35 DAYS OF BED REST R. Antonione 1 , F. Agostini 1 , G. Guarnieri 1 , G. Biolo 1 . 1 DSCMT Division of Internal Medicine, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy Rationale: Physical inactivity is often associated with positive energy balance and fat gain. We tested the hypothesis that energy intake in excess to requirement leading to fat deposition activates systemic inflammation and oxidative stress and accelerate inactivity-induced muscle atrophy. Methods: We studied 10 healthy male volunteers before and at the end of 35 days of strict bed rest. During