Better cardiometabolic/inflammatory profile is associated with differences in the supraclavicular adipose tissue activity of individuals with T2DM.

Abstract

Brown adipose tissue (BAT), located in the supraclavicular region, has been associated with a better cardiometabolic profile and reduced risk of developing non-communicable chronic diseases (NCD), in addition to being associated with a healthier phenotype in obesity. However, it is unknown whether greater supraclavicular adipose tissue activity could be associated with a healthier metabolic profile in people already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Thus, the present work evaluated if supraclavicular adipose tissue activity is associated with metabolic and molecular markers in individuals with T2DM. Based on a cluster study, individuals with T2DM were divided into groups according to high or low-standard uptake value (SUV) evaluated in the supraclavicular adipose tissue area by [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) after mild cold exposure). Functional, biochemical, inflammatory, and molecular markers were measured. When we evaluated the whole sample, women showed higher SUV, which favored a difference between groups in sex-related markers. On the other hand, volunteers in the high-SUV group showed lower BMI, monocytes count, triglycerides/glucose index (TYG-index) and z score of metabolic syndrome (MS) values, as well as lower triglycerides, and VLDL concentrations. Moreover, they also had enhanced expression of thermogenic genes in subcutaneous fat. When analyzing only women, the differences in markers associated with sex disappear, and a lower count of leukocytes, platelets, along with lower TYG-index, z score of MS values, and triglycerides, VLDL, LDL, and TNFα concentrations were observed in women with the high SUV. In addition, higher expression of thermogenic genes and BECN1 were detected. Higher supraclavicular adipose tissue SUV in individuals with T2DM is associated with a better cardiometabolic/inflammatory profile and expression of thermogenic genes. UTN: U1111-1202-1476 - 08/20/2020.