Abdominal Adipose Tissue Volume Research Articles

A causal relationship between particulate matter 2.5 and obesity and its related indicators: a Mendelian randomization study of European ancestry

A causal relationship between particulate matter 2.5 and obesity and its related indicators: a Mendelian randomization study of European ancestry

Phenome-Wide Investigation of the Causal Associations Between Pre-Pregnancy Obesity Traits and Gestational Diabetes: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Analyses.

Pre-pregnancy obesity was associated with gestational diabetes in observational studies, but whether this relationship is causal remains to be determined. To evaluate whether pre-pregnancy obesity traits causally affect gestational diabetes risk, a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed utilizing summary-level statistics from published genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Obesity-related traits included body mass index (BMI), overweight, obesity, obesity class 1, obesity class 2, obesity class 3, childhood obesity, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), percent liver fat, visceral adipose tissue volume, abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue volume. Effect estimates were evaluated using the inverse-variance weighting method. Weighted median, MR-Egger, simple mode, and weighted mode were performed as sensitivity analyses. Genetically predicted pre-pregnancy BMI [odds ratio (OR) = 1.68; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45-1.95; P = 9.13 × 10-12], overweight (OR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.21-1.85; P = 2.06 × 10-4), obesity (OR = 1.25; 95% CI: 1.18-1.33; P = 8.01 × 10-13), obesity class 1 (OR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.17-1.46; P = 1.49 × 10-6), obesity class 2 (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.16-1.37; P = 5.23 × 10-8), childhood obesity (OR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.23-1.44; P = 4.06 × 10-12), and WHR (OR = 2.35; 95% CI: 1.44-3.83; P = 5.89 × 10-4) were associated with increased risk of gestational diabetes. No significant association was observed with obesity class 3, WC, HC, percent liver fat, visceral adipose tissue volume, or abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue volume. Similar results were observed in sensitivity analyses. Therefore, genetically predicted pre-pregnancy obesity traits may increase the risk of gestational diabetes. Weight control before pregnancy may be beneficial to prevent gestational diabetes.

Visceral Adipose Tissue Reduction Measured by Deep Neural Network Architecture Improved Reflux Esophagitis Endoscopic Grade.

Visceral obesity is a risk factor for reflux esophagitis (RE). We investigated the risk of RE according to visceral adipose tissue (VAT) measured by deep neural network architecture using computed tomography (CT) and evaluated the longitudinal association between abdominal adipose tissue changes and the disease course of RE. Individuals receiving health checkups who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and abdominal CT at Seoul National University Healthcare System Gangnam Center between 2015 and 2016 were included. Visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue areas and volumes were measured using a deep neural network architecture and CT. The association between the abdominal adipose tissue area and volume and the risk of RE was evaluated. Participants who underwent follow-up EGD and abdominal CT were selected; the effects of changes in abdominal adipose tissue area and volume on RE endoscopic grade were investigated using Cox proportional hazards regression. We enrolled 6,570 patients who underwent EGD and abdominal CT on the same day. RE was associated with male sex, hypertension, diabetes, excessive alcohol intake, current smoking status, and levels of physical activity. The VAT area and volume increased the risk of RE dose-dependently. A decreasing VAT volume was significantly associated with improvement in RE endoscopic grade (hazard ratio: 3.22, 95% confidence interval: 1.82-5.71). Changes in subcutaneous adipose tissue volume and the disease course of RE were not significantly correlated. Visceral obesity is strongly associated with RE. VAT volume reduction was prospectively associated with improvement in RE endoscopic grade dose-dependently. Visceral obesity is a potential target for RE treatment.

Automated abdominal adipose tissue segmentation and volume quantification on longitudinal MRI using 3D convolutional neural networks with multi-contrast inputs.

Increased subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue (SAT/VAT) volume is associated with risk for cardiometabolic diseases. This work aimed to develop and evaluate automated abdominal SAT/VAT segmentation on longitudinal MRI in adults with overweight/obesity using attention-based competitive dense (ACD) 3D U-Net and 3D nnU-Net with full field-of-view volumetric multi-contrast inputs. 920 adults with overweight/obesity were scanned twice at multiple 3T MRI scanners and institutions. The first scan was divided into training/validation/testing sets (n = 646/92/182). The second scan from the subjects in the testing set was used to evaluate the generalizability for longitudinal analysis. Segmentation performance was assessed by measuring Dice scores (DICE-SAT, DICE-VAT), false negatives (FN), and false positives (FP). Volume agreement was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). ACD 3D U-Net achieved rapid (< 4.8s/subject) segmentation with high DICE-SAT (median ≥ 0.994) and DICE-VAT (median ≥ 0.976), small FN (median ≤ 0.7%), and FP (median ≤ 1.1%). 3D nnU-Net yielded rapid (< 2.5s/subject) segmentation with similar DICE-SAT (median ≥ 0.992), DICE-VAT (median ≥ 0.979), FN (median ≤ 1.1%) and FP (median ≤ 1.2%). Both models yielded excellent agreement in SAT/VAT volume versus reference measurements (ICC > 0.997) in longitudinal analysis. ACD 3D U-Net and 3D nnU-Net can be automated tools to quantify abdominal SAT/VAT volume rapidly, accurately, and longitudinally in adults with overweight/obesity.

Alzheimer Disease Pathology and Neurodegeneration in Midlife Obesity: A Pilot Study.

Obesity and excess adiposity at midlife are risk factors for Alzheimer disease (AD). Visceral fat is known to be associated with insulin resistance and a pro-inflammatory state, the two mechanisms involved in AD pathology. We assessed the association of obesity, MRI-determined abdominal adipose tissue volumes, and insulin resistance with PET-determined amyloid and tau uptake in default mode network areas, and MRI-determined brain volume and cortical thickness in AD cortical signature in the cognitively normal midlife population. Thirty-two middle-aged (age: 51.27±6.12 years, 15 males, body mass index (BMI): 32.28±6.39 kg/m2) cognitively normal participants, underwent bloodwork, brain and abdominal MRI, and amyloid and tau PET scan. Visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT, SAT) were semi-automatically segmented using VOXel Analysis Suite (Voxa). FreeSurfer was used to automatically segment brain regions using a probabilistic atlas. PET scans were acquired using [11C]PiB and AV-1451 tracers and were analyzed using PET unified pipeline. The association of brain volumes, cortical thicknesses, and PiB and AV-1451 standardized uptake value ratios (SUVRs) with BMI, VAT/SAT ratio, and insulin resistance were assessed using Spearman's partial correlation. VAT/SAT ratio was associated significantly with PiB SUVRs in the right precuneus cortex (p=0.034) overall, controlling for sex. This association was significant only in males (p=0.044), not females (p=0.166). Higher VAT/SAT ratio and PiB SUVRs in the right precuneus cortex were associated with lower cortical thickness in AD-signature areas predominantly including bilateral temporal cortices, parahippocampal, medial orbitofrontal, and cingulate cortices, with age and sex as covariates. Also, higher BMI and insulin resistance were associated with lower cortical thickness in bilateral temporal poles. In midlife cognitively normal adults, we demonstrated higher amyloid pathology in the right precuneus cortex in individuals with a higher VAT/SAT ratio, a marker of visceral obesity, along with a lower cortical thickness in AD-signature areas associated with higher visceral obesity, insulin resistance, and amyloid pathology.

ВЗАИМОСВЯЗЬ УРОВНЯ ПРОВОСПАЛИТЕЛЬНЫХ АДИПОЦИТОКИНОВ И ОБЪЕМНО-ЛИНЕЙНЫХ ПАРАМЕТРОВ ЭКТОПИЧЕСКИХ ЖИРОВОГО ДЕПО У БОЛЬНЫХ С ИШЕМИЧЕСКОЙ БОЛЕЗНЬЮ СЕРДЦА

Abstract. Introduction. Multispiral computed angiography of the coronary arteries is the method of choice for the early noninvasive diagnosis of coronary atherosclerosis and, therefore, coronary heart disease. Quantitative indicators of epicardial fat depot are significantly associated with coronary atherosclerosis and coupled with possible cardiovascular events without reference to traditional risk factors. Aim of this study was to establish the relationship between the proinflammatory adipocytokine levels and the volumetric-linear parameters of paracardial fat depots in patients with coronary atherosclerosis. Materials and Methods. 135 patients (74 men (52%) and 61 women (48%)) with confirmed and suspected coronary heart disease were examined, aged 45 to 80 years. All patients were divided into 2 groups: Study group and comparison group. The study group consisted of 88 patients with coronary atherosclerosis, 56 men (63%) and 32 women (37%). This group included patients with one-, two- and multivessel coronary artery lesions, as well as with hemodynamically insignificant (CAD-RADs≤2) and significant (CAD-RADs≥3) stenosis areas. The comparison group consisted of 47 patients without coronary atherosclerosis. Quantitative indicators of cardiac and abdominal fat depots were calculated for all patients by means of computed tomography. Results and Discussion. The volume of epicardial adipose tissue was significantly higher in individuals with coronary heart disease, as compared to patients in the comparison group. The volume of abdominal adipose tissue was also higher in patients of the main group (p&lt;0.001). The volume of visceral adipose tissue in patients with ischemic heart disease was 1.43 times larger than in the comparison group (p&lt;0.05), the area of epicardial adipose tissue did not statistically differ in the two groups (p˃0.05), and the area of visceral adipose tissue was 1.62 times (p&lt;0.05) larger in patients with ischemic heart disease. Differences in the groups with hemodynamically insignificant and significant coronary artery stenoses were statistically valid (p˂0.05). Conclusions. In patients with coronary artery disease, the degree of increase in epicardial and abdominal fat correlates with the severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis. Laboratory tests of the adipokine-cytokine profiles is an important prognostic factor of coronary atherosclerosis severity.

The causal relationship between air pollution, obesity, and COVID-19 risk: a large-scale genetic correlation study.

Observational evidence reported that air pollution is a significant risk element for numerous health problems, such as obesity and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but their causal relationship is currently unknown. Our objective was to probe the causal relationship between air pollution, obesity, and COVID-19 and to explore whether obesity mediates this association. We obtained instrumental variables strongly correlated to air pollutants [PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx)], 9 obesity-related traits (abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue volume, waist-to-hip ratio, body mass index, hip circumference, waist circumference, obesity class 1-3, visceral adipose tissue volume), and COVID-19 phenotypes (susceptibility, hospitalization, severity) from public genome-wide association studies. We used clinical and genetic data from different public biological databases and performed analysis by two-sample and two-step Mendelian randomization. PM2.5 genetically correlated with 5 obesity-related traits, which obesity class 1 was most affected (beta = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.11 - 0.65, p = 6.31E-3). NO2 genetically correlated with 3 obesity-related traits, which obesity class 1 was also most affected (beta = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.055 - 0.61, p = 1.90E-2). NOx genetically correlated with 7 obesity-related traits, which obesity class 3 was most affected (beta = 1.16, 95% CI = 0.42-1.90, p = 2.10E-3). Almost all the obesity-related traits genetically increased the risks for COVID-19 phenotypes. Among them, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and obesity class 1 and 2 mediated the effects of air pollutants on COVID-19 risks (p < 0.05). However, no direct causal relationship was observed between air pollution and COVID-19. Our study suggested that exposure to heavy air pollutants causally increased risks for obesity. Besides, obesity causally increased the risks for COVID-19 phenotypes. Attention needs to be paid to weight status for the population who suffer from heavy air pollution, as they are more likely to be susceptible and vulnerable to COVID-19.

Resistance training decreased abdominal adiposity in postmenopausal women.

To investigate if abdominal adipose tissue volumes and ratios change after a 15-week structured resistance training intervention in postmenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms (VMS). Sixty-five postmenopausal women with VMS and low physical activity were randomized to either three days/week supervised resistance training or unchanged physical activity for 15weeks. Women underwent clinical anthropometric measurements and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and after 15weeks. MRI was done using a Philips Ingenia 3.0T MR scanner (Philips, Best, The Netherlands). The per protocol principle was used in the analysis of data. The absolute change from baseline to week 15 in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volume and the relative ratio (VAT ratio) between VAT and total abdominal adipose tissue (TAAT), i.e. the sum of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT) and VAT. There were no significant differences between the groups in characteristics, anthropometry or MRI measures at baseline. Women who were compliant with the intervention (i.e. participated in at least two of the three scheduled training sessions per week) had significantly different reduction over time in ASAT (p=0.006), VAT (p=0.002), TAAT (p=0.003) and fat ratio (p<0.001) compared with women in the control group. Implementation of a 15-week resistance training regimen in midlife may help women to counteract the abdominal fat redistribution associated with the menopausal transition. gov registered ID: NCT01987778.

Hemodynamic Determinants of Elevated Blood Pressure and Hypertension in the Middle to Older-Age UK Population: A UK Biobank Imaging Study.

Increased systemic vascular resistance and, in older people, reduced aortic distensibility, are thought to be the hemodynamic determinants of primary hypertension but cardiac output could also be important. We examined the hemodynamics of elevated blood pressure and hypertension in the middle to older-aged UK population participating in the UK Biobank imaging studies. Cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, and aortic distensibility were measured from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in 31 112 (distensibility in 21 178) participants (46.3% male, mean age±SD 63±7 years). Body composition including visceral adipose tissue volume and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue volume were measured in 19 645 participants. Participants with higher blood pressure had higher cardiac output (higher by 17.9±26.6% in hypertensive compared with those with optimal blood pressure) and higher systemic vascular resistance (higher by 11.4±27.9% in hypertensive compared with those with optimal blood pressure). These differences were little changed after adjustment for body size and adiposity. The contribution of cardiac output relative to systemic vascular resistance was more marked in younger compared with older subjects. Aortic distensibility decreased with age and was lower in participants with higher compared with lower blood pressure but with a greater difference in younger compared with older subjects. In the middle to older-aged UK population, cardiac output plays an important role in contributing to elevated mean arterial blood pressure, particularly in younger compared with older subjects. Reduced aortic distensibility contributes to a rise in pulse pressure and systolic blood pressure at all ages.

Abstract #1400837: Skewness in Body Fat Distribution Pattern Links to Specific Cardiometabolic Disease Risk Profiles

Research on body fat distribution illustrates a heterogeneity within obesity and indicates that the pattern in which a person carries their fat could help determine each individual’s cardiometabolic risk profile. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between balance of different fat compartments (visceral, subcutaneous, and liver) with incident type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the UK Biobank imaging study. Magnetic resonance images were collected in 40,174 participants using a 6-minute neck-to-knee protocol and analyzed for visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volume, abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (aSAT) volume, and liver proton density fat fraction (LF) using AMRA® Researcher. To assess body fat distribution patterns independent of BMI, personalized body fat z-scores (VATz, aSATz, and LFz) were calculated for each participant using the distribution of least N=150 matched controls with the same sex and similar BMI. Participants without prevalent T2D and CVD (N=35,138), were partitioned in 3 ways: based on the balance between (1) VATz & LFz using z-scores=0 as cut-points (thus creating 4 groups: VATz< 0 & LFz< 0 (reference [lower VAT and LF than predicted by BMI]); VATz< 0 & LFz >0; VATz >0 & LFz< 0; VATz >0 & LFz >0, (2) VATz & aSATz, and (3) LFz & aSATz. Logistic regression and Cox proportional-hazards models were used to investigate the association of the balance between body fat z-scores with incident T2D and CVD respectively. Models were crude and subsequently adjusted for sex, age, and BMI. The strongest association with incident T2D were found for VATz >0 & LFz >0 (crude odds ratio (cOR) 4.31, 95% CI 2.83-6.78, p< 0.001), VATz >0 & aSATz< 0 (cOR 4.43, 95% CI 2.85-7.11, p< 0.001), and LFz >0 & aSATz< 0 (cOR 2.47, 95% CI 1.62-3.83, p< 0.001). When adjusted for sex, age, and BMI, those with VATz >0 and/or LFz >0 remained significant. For incident CVD, the strongest associations were found for VATz >0 & LFz< 0 (crude hazard ratio (cHR) 1.53, 95% CI 1.34-1.76, p< 0.001) and VATz >0 & aSATz< 0 (cHR 1.54, 95% CI 1.34-1.76, p< 0.001). When adjusted for sex, age, and BMI, only VATz >0 & LFz< 0 remained significant. Excessive accumulation of VAT in relation to BMI (VATz >0) was consistently linked to both T2D and CVD. Excessive accumulation of LF in relation to BMI (LFz >0) was linked to T2D only. Groups with skewed fat distribution patterns showed the highest risk for incident CVD (VATz >0 & LFz< 0 and VATz >0 & aSATz< 0) and T2D (VATz >0 & aSATz< 0). Descriptions of body fat distribution pattern could inform diagnosis and treatment strategies for obesity and related conditions.

Saroglitazar improves nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic health in liver transplant recipients.

NAFLD is common after liver transplantation (LT) and is associated with an increased metabolic burden. Currently, there is a paucity of investigations into the treatment of post-LT NAFLD. In the present study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of saroglitazar, a novel dual peroxisome proliferator-associated receptor α/γ agonist, on the treatment of post-LT NAFLD and metabolic burden. This is a phase 2A, single-center, open-label, single-arm study in which patients with post-LT NAFLD received saroglitazar magnesium 4mg daily for 24 weeks. NAFLD was defined by a controlled attenuation parameter ≥264dB/m. The primary endpoint was the reduction in liver fat as measured by MRI proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF). Secondary MRI-based metabolic endpoints included visceral adipose tissue, abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue volumes, muscle fat infiltration, and fat-free muscle volume. Saroglitazar treatment led to a reduction in MRI-PDFF from 10.3±10.5% at baseline to 8.1±7.6%. A relative 30% reduction from baseline MRI-PDFF value was noted in 47% of all patients and 63% of patients with baseline MRI-PDFF >5%. Reduction in serum alkaline phosphatase was an independent predictor of MRI-PDFF response. Saroglitazar did not decrease fat-free muscle volume nor increase muscle fat infiltration, but did lead to a mild increase in visceral adipose tissue and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue. The study drug was well tolerated and a mild nonsignificant increase in serum creatinine was noted. Saroglitazar did not affect the weight. The study provides preliminary data demonstrating the safety and metabolic benefits of saroglitazar in LT recipients and underscores the importance of future studies to establish its efficacy after LT.

Micro-Current Stimulation Can Modulate the Adipogenesis Process by Regulating the Insulin Signaling Pathway in 3T3-L1 Cells and ob/ob Mice

Obesity is a disease in which fat is abnormally or excessively accumulated in the body, and many studies have been conducted to overcome it with various techniques. In this study, we evaluated whether micro-current stimulation (MCS) can be applied to prevent obesity by regulating the adipogenesis through 3T3-L1 cells and ob/ob mice. To specify the intensity of MCS, Oil Red O staining was conducted with various intensities of MCS. Based on these, subsequent experiments used 200 and 400 μA for the intensity of MCS. The expressions of insulin signaling pathway-related proteins, including phosphorylation of IGF-1 and IR, were decreased in all MCS groups, and in turn, downstream signals such as Akt and ERK were decreased. In addition, MCS reduced the nucleus translocation of PPAR-γ and decreased the protein expression of C/EBP-α. In the ob/ob mouse model, MCS reduced body weight gain and abdominal adipose tissue volume. In particular, the concentration of triglycerides in serum was also decreased. Taken together, our findings showed that MCS inhibited lipid accumulation by regulating insulin signaling in 3T3-L1, and it was effective at reducing body weight and adipose tissue volume in ob/ob mice. These suggest that MCS may be a useful treatment approach for obesity.

Defining reference values for body composition indices by magnetic resonance imaging in UK Biobank.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for evaluating body composition. However, the reference ranges have not been established. Three lean tissue and seven adipose tissue parameters based on MRI data from the UK Biobank were used in this study. Participants with European ancestry and data on at least one parameter were screened. Age- and sex-specific percentile curves were generated using the lambda-mu-sigma method. Three levels of reference ranges were provided, which were equivalent to the mean±1 standard deviation (SD), 2 SDs and 2.5 SDs. The final analysis set for each parameter ranged from 4842 to 14148 participants (53.4%-56.6% women) with a median age of 61. For lean tissue parameters, compared with those at age 45, the median total lean tissue volume and total thigh fat-free muscle volume at age 70 were 2.83 and 1.73L, and 3.02 and 1.51L lower in men and women, respectively. The median weight-to-muscle ratios at age 45 were 0.51 and 0.83kg/L lower compared with those at age 70 in men and women, respectively. Adipose tissue parameters showed inconsistent differences. In men, the median muscle fat infiltration, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volume, total abdominal adipose tissue index and abdominal fat ratio were 1.48%, 0.32L, 0.08L/m2 and 0.4 higher, and the median abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT) volume and total adipose tissue volume were 0.47 and 0.41L lower, respectively, at age 70 than at age 45. The median total trunk fat volume was approximately 9.53L at all ages. In women, the median muscle fat infiltration and VAT volume were 1.68% and 0.76L higher, respectively, at age 70 than at age 45. The median ASAT volume, total adipose tissue volume, total trunk fat volume, total abdominal adipose tissue index and abdominal fat ratio were 0.35L, 0.78L, 1.12L, 0.49L/m2 and 0.06 higher, respectively, at age 60 than at age 45. The medians of the former three parameters were 0.33L, 0.14L and 0.20L lower, at age 70 than at age 60. The medians of the latter two parameters were approximately 3.64L/m2 and 0.55 at ages between 60 and 70. We have established reference ranges for MRI-measured body composition parameters in a large community-dwelling population. These findings provide a more accurate assessment of abnormal adipose and muscle conditions.

Changes in abdominal fat depots after bariatric surgery are associated with improved metabolic profile

Background and aimsObesity associated with a change in the quantity and quality of fat depots. Using computed tomography (CT), we analyzed abdominal fat depots in patients with obesity after bariatric surgery according to their metabolic health status. Methods and resultsWe recruited 79 individuals with metabolically unhealthy obesity before bariatric surgery and compared them with age-sex matched healthy controls. The volume and fat attenuation index (FAI) of fat depots were measured using CT scans that were conducted prior to and a year after bariatric surgery. ‘Metabolically healthy’ was defined as having no hypertension, normal fasting glucose and a waist-to-hip ratio of <1.05 for men and <0.95 for women. Individuals who achieved a metabolic health status conversion (MHC) (n = 29, 37%)—from unhealthy to healthy—were younger (p < 0.001) as compared to individuals without MHC. Pre-surgery BMI and reduction of BMI did not differ between the two groups (p = 0.099, p = 0.5730). Bariatric surgery reduced the volume and increased the FAI of fat depots. Baseline lower abdominal periaortic adipose tissue (AT) volume (p = 0.014) and great percent reduction in renal sinus AT volume after surgery (p = 0.019) were associated with MHC after surgery. Increased intraperitoneal AT FAI (p = 0.031) was also associated with MHC. ConclusionMHC was not associated with improvement in general obesity, based on indicators such as reduction of BMI after surgery. Weight reduction induced specific abdominal fat depot changes measured by CT are positively associated with MHC.

Ectopic fat is associated with cardiac remodeling-A comprehensive assessment of regional fat depots in type 2 diabetes using multi-parametric MRI.

BackgroundDifferent regional depots of fat have distinct metabolic properties and may relate differently to adverse cardiac remodeling. We sought to quantify regional depots of body fat and to investigate their relationship to cardiac structure and function in Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and controls.MethodsFrom the SCAPIS cohort in Linköping, Sweden, we recruited 92 subjects (35% female, mean age 59.5 ± 4.6 years): 46 with T2D and 46 matched controls. In addition to the core SCAPIS data collection, participants underwent a comprehensive magnetic resonance imaging examination at 1.5 T for assessment of left ventricular (LV) structure and function (end-diastolic volume, mass, concentricity, ejection fraction), as well as regional body composition (liver proton density fat fraction, visceral adipose tissue, abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue, thigh muscle fat infiltration, fat tissue-free thigh muscle volume and epicardial adipose tissue).ResultsCompared to the control group, the T2D group had increased: visceral adipose tissue volume index (P < 0.001), liver fat percentage (P < 0.001), thigh muscle fat infiltration percentage (P = 0.02), LV concentricity (P < 0.001) and LV E/e'-ratio (P < 0.001). In a multiple linear regression analysis, a negative association between liver fat percentage and LV mass (St Beta −0.23, P < 0.05) as well as LV end-diastolic volume (St Beta −0.27, P < 0.05) was found. Epicardial adipose tissue volume and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue volume index were the only parameters of fat associated with LV diastolic dysfunction (E/e'-ratio) (St Beta 0.24, P < 0.05; St Beta 0.34, P < 0.01, respectively). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, only visceral adipose tissue volume index was significantly associated with T2D, with an odds ratio for T2D of 3.01 (95% CI 1.28–7.05, P < 0.05) per L/m2 increase in visceral adipose tissue volume.ConclusionsEctopic fat is predominantly associated with cardiac remodeling, independently of type 2 diabetes. Intriguingly, liver fat appears to be related to LV structure independently of VAT, while epicardial fat is linked to impaired LV diastolic function. Visceral fat is associated with T2D independently of liver fat and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Plasma Levels of Triglycerides and IL-6 Are Associated With Weight Regain and Fat Mass Expansion.

ContextLong-term weight loss (WL) maintenance is the biggest challenge for overweight and obesity because of the almost unavoidable phenomenon of partial or even total weight regain (WR) after WL.ObjectiveIn the present study we investigated the relations of (the changes of) adipocyte size and other risk biomarkers with WR during the follow-up of the Yoyo dietary intervention.MethodsIn this randomized controlled study, 48 overweight/obese participants underwent a very-low-calorie diet to lose weight, followed by a weight-stable period of 4 weeks and a follow-up period of 9 months. Anthropometric measurements, adipocyte volume of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue, and plasma metabolic parameters (free fatty acids [FFAs], triglycerides [TGs], total cholesterol, glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR], interleukin 6 [IL-6], angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] activity, retinol binding protein 4 [RBP4]) at the beginning and the end of follow-up were analyzed.ResultsOur results show that changes of TGs, IL-6, HOMA-IR, and ACE are significantly positively correlated with WR. Multiple linear regression analysis shows that only TG and IL-6 changes remained significantly correlated with WR and increased body fat mass. Moreover, the change in HOMA-IR was tightly correlated with the change in TGs. Surprisingly, change in adipocyte volume during follow-up was not correlated with WR nor with other factors, but positive correlations between adipocyte volume and HOMA-IR were found at the beginning and end of the follow-up.ConclusionThese results suggest that TGs and IL-6 are independently linked to WR via separate mechanisms, and that HOMA-IR and adipocyte volume may indirectly link to WR through the change of plasma TGs.

MRI assessment of the abdominal adipose tissue and the state of the abdominal aorta in patients with coronary artery disease: association with metabolic disorders

Aim. To evaluate potential associations between quantitative features of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (AT) and anthropometric characteristics of obesity, metabolic disorders, and the state of the abdominal aorta in patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD).Materials and methods. The study included 55 patients (average age 61.2 ± 7.2 years) with chronic CAD. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on a 1.5 T MRI scanner using T2-weighted spin-echo modes. The area and volume of abdominal subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were calculated at the L4–L5 level; the total volumes of abdominal SAT and VAT were determined. Parameters of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, as well as adipokine profile were studied in the blood serum.Results. In the course of a multiple linear regression analysis, we detected the independent determinants, which described 95% of the total VAT volume variability and were represented by waist circumference (WC) and serum levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and adiponectin. The model was characterized by the significance level p &lt; 0.000001, the residuals of the model were normal. We calculated the coefficients in the model: 1.39 for WC, –0.26 for HDL cholesterol, and –0.19 for adiponectin. We detected a positive correlation between the abdominal aorta (AA) diameter and SAT area at the L4–L5 level (rs = 0.48; p = 0.0014), which does not depend on gender, and reverse correlations between the aorta diameter and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level (rs = –0.40; p = 0.0359) and postprandial glycemia (rs = –0.40; p = 0.0273). The patients with a dilated aorta (group 2), when compared with the patients with a normal aorta diameter (group 1), did not differ in the AT accumulation, but demonstrated decreased levels of HbA1c and postprandial glycemia, which resulted in a smaller number of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Conclusion. We identified independent determinants of an increase in the total volume of abdominal visceral AT, such as an increase in WC and a decrease in serum adiponectin and HDL cholesterol levels. Results of the study indicate the presence of a link between the AA remodeling, accumulation of subcutaneous AT, and impaired glucose metabolism.

Assessment of the visceral adipose tissue by magnetic resonance imaging in patients with coronary artery disease: link to metabolism disorders and condition of the abdominal aorta

Abstract Aim MRI-quantification of the visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (AT) and investigation of its interconnections with anthropometric parameters of obesity, carbohydrate metabolism and condition of abdominal aorta in patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods The study included 55 patients (mean age 61.2±7.2 y.o.) with chronic CAD. All patients underwent MRI of the abdominal AT and abdominal aorta segment on a 1.5 T MRI in standard modes. Calculation of the area and volume of abdominal subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was conducted at L4-L5 level; the total volumes of abdominal SAT and VAT were calculated. Parameters of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism as well adipokines' profile were measured in blood serum. Results To eliminate gender bias the data in the total group was corrected for the sex, height and body weight. In the course of the multiple linear regression analysis, we detected the independent determinants, which described 95% of the total VAT volume variability and were represented by waist circumference and serum levels of HDL cholesterol and adiponectin. The model was characterized by the significance level p&amp;lt;0,ehab724.116501, the residues of the model were normal. The evaluation of the coefficients in the model was as following: 1,39 for waist circumference, −0.26 for HDL cholesterol and −0,19 for adiponectin. We detected direct correlation between the aorta diameter and total SAT volume (rs=0.30), which was independent from sex; and reverse correlations between the aorta diameter and HbA1c level (rs=−0.40) and postprandial glycemia (rs=−0.40). Patients with dilated aorta when compared to the patients with normal aorta diameter did not differ in the AT accumulation, but demonstrated decreased levels of HbA1c and postprandial glycaemia, which was dependent upon the lower numbers of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. Conclusion We have identified the independent determinants of the total volume of the abdominal visceral AT increase, which appeared to be increment of the waist circumference and decrease of the serum adiponectin and HDL cholesterol. Results of the study indicate the presence of the interconnection between the processes of the abdominal aorta remodeling, accumulation of subcutaneous adipose tissue and carbohydrate metabolism impairments. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. MRI of the abdominal tissueMRI of the abdominal aorta

Directly quantified abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue volume is negatively associated with subclinical coronary artery disease in men with psoriasis

Abstract Background Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory condition associated with an increased risk of obesity and higher coronary atherosclerosis burden by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Prior studies have shown that the ability to expand subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) may serve to identify individuals at a lower risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between abdominal SAT and high-risk subclinical coronary artery disease requires exploration. Purpose To characterize the relationship between abdominal SAT volume measured on low-dose computed tomography, and coronary artery disease assessed as noncalcified and lipid-rich necrotic core burden by CCTA in psoriasis. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study of 232 participants with psoriasis and without known cardiovascular disease. All participants underwent CCTA to characterize coronary artery disease burden and low dose abdominal computed tomography to quantify subcutaneous adipose tissue volumes. Fat depot volumes were first adjusted in a sex specific manner for each participant's body mass index in a linear regression model. The residual values from the sex stratified linear regression models were used for analyses. Coronary artery disease burden was quantified in the three main coronary arteries (QAngio, Medis, The Netherlands) and averaged. Analyses were performed with StataIC 16 (Stata Corp., College Station, TX, USA). Results Of the 232 participants, 92 (40%) were women and the average age was 50 years. In women, there was a positive correlation between abdominal SAT and systemic inflammation as assessed by hs-CRP (r=0.30; p=0.004) and GlycA (r=0.29; p=0.007) as well as total cholesterol (r=0.24; p=0.02) and LDL cholesterol (r=0.22; p=0.04). In men, abdominal SAT correlated with hs-CRP (r=0.18; p=0.04) and insulin resistance as assessed by the homeostatic model for insulin resistance (r=0.17; p=0.04). In models fully adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, abdominal SAT volume negatively associated with noncalcified and lipid-rich necrotic core burden in men (β=−0.17; p=0.03, β=−0.21; p=0.02, respectively), but not women (β=−0.04; p=0.72, β=0.05; p=0.68, respectively) with psoriasis (Table). Conclusions In psoriasis, for a given body mass index, abdominal SAT negatively associated with coronary atherosclerosis burden in men. The observed sex-specific effects on subclinical coronary artery disease warrant further study of abdominal SAT in states of chronic inflammation. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Intramural Research Program in Bethesda, Maryland

Relationship Between Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Abdominal and Pericardial Adipose Tissue in Middle-Aged and Elderly Subjects.

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to explore the relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and abdominal and pericardial adipose tissue in middle-aged and elderly subjects.MethodsBetween July 2019 and July 2020, 471 subjects attending the Health Care Medical Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital for a medical examination were enrolled in the study. The volume and distribution of abdominal adipose tissue together with the volume of pericardial adipose tissue were calculated according to the results of the abdominal computed tomography. The differences between subjects with NAFLD and the normal population were analyzed.ResultsThe volume of pericardial adipose tissue, abdominal visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue, the total volume of abdominal adipose tissue, and volume of pelvic visceral adipose tissue were all significantly increased in subjects with NAFLD. For every 100 cm3 increase in the volume of abdominal visceral adipose tissue, the incidence of developing NAFLD increased by 9.4%. According to the results of the receiver operating curve, the cut-off point of abdominal visceral adipose tissue for the diagnosis of NAFLD was 2691.1 cm3.ConclusionOverall, the risk of NAFLD increases significantly with the increase in the volume of adipose tissue.