Abdominal Fat Accumulation Research Articles

Diagnostic Performance of Waist Circumference Measurements for Predicting Cardiometabolic Risk in Mexican Children

The accumulation of abdominal fat is associated with cardiometabolic abnormalities. Waist circumference (WC) measurements allow an indirect evaluation of abdominal adiposity. However, controversy exists over which WC reference values are the most suitable for identifying the pediatric population at risk. The aim of the study was to evaluate the ability of various WC indices to identify abdominal obesity as diagnostic tools for predicting cardiometabolic risk in Mexican children and adolescents. Anthropometric measurements were performed and biochemical profiles determined in a crosssectional study that included 366 children and adolescents. Four parameters were used to evaluate abdominal obesity in our study group: (1) WC >90th percentile, according to the Fernández reference in a Mexican-American population measured by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) technique; (2) WC >90th percentile, according to the Klünder reference in a Mexican population (measured by the World Health Organization [WHO] technique); (3) waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) >0.5 according to WHO; and (4) WHtR >0.5 according to NCHS. The ability of each of the indices to discriminate cardiometabolic abnormalities (fasting plasma glucose, dyslipidemia, and hypertension) was assessed. WHtR >0.5 according to WHO or NCHS references showed greater sensitivity to detect metabolic abnormalities compared to percentile reference parameters (74.3 to 100% vs. 59.0 to 88.9%; P<.05). However, the percentiles displayed more specificity to identify these alterations (46.2 to 62.2 vs. 21.3 to 46.9; P<.05). Area under the curve analysis showed that WHtR >0.5 can more readily detect hypertriglyceridemia (0.642), hypoalphalipoproteinemia (0.700), and a combination of two or more metabolic abnormalities (0.661), whereas WC >90th percentile, according to Klünder, better detected hyperglycemia (0.555). WHtR >0.5 is a sensitive measure to identify pediatric patients with cardiometabolic alterations, despite its low specificity, and is a useful diagnostic tool to detect populations at risk. Based on the results of this study, we recommend preferential use of the Klünder waist circumference references over the Fernández method in Mexican pediatric populations. AUC = area under the curve BMI = body mass index HDL = high-density lipoprotein IDF = International Diabetes Federation LDL = low-density lipoprotein MS = metabolic syndrome NCHS = National Center for Health Statistics ROC = receiver operating characteristic WC = waist circumference WHO = World Health Organization WHtR = waist-to-height ratio.

Factors influencing atherogenic indices in type 2 diabetic women in northwestern Algeria

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;span lang="EN-GB"&gt;Type 2 diabetic women are at higher risk of developing atherogenic dyslipidemia. The major possible risk factors are obesity, abdominal fat accumulation and poor glycaemic control. However, menopause-related changes could be another determinant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interrelationships of these risk factors and their independent effects on atherogenic indices in type 2 diabetes women&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;span lang="EN-GB"&gt;A prospective, cross-sectional study, which includes 160 women agreed to participate in this study. Anthropometrics, biochemical parameters and blood pressure were measured. Atherogenic indices - total cholesterol-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TC/HDL) and apolipoprotein (apo) B-to-apo A1 ratio, were calculated. Individual risk factors were examined in relationship to these atherogenic indices using correlation tests and logistic regression&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-IN"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-IN"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;span lang="EN-GB"&gt;23.12% of the participants were normal weight and 76.87% were overweight/obese. The overall mean age was 57.70±11.16 years. Diabetes duration (˃5years), anthropometric parameters, poor glycaemic control, high apo B and high level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were found to be significant determinants of atherogenic indices changes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"&gt;The TC/HDL ratio was weakly associated with both BMI and waist circumference. However, the apo B/apo A1 ratio provided positive correlations with anthropometric parameters, especially with waist circumference (&lt;em&gt;p&lt;/em&gt;=0.185, r=0.108, r&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;=0.012), and this, in both pre and post-menopausal type 2 diabetic women&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;span lang="EN-GB"&gt;The atherogenic risk, estimated by TC/HDL and apo B/apo A1 ratios, becomes more severe with higher anthropometric parameters (BMI and waist circumference), diabetes duration and poor glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes women and this during both premenopausal and postmenopausal periods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-IN"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Heritable components of the human fecal microbiome are associated with visceral fat.

BackgroundVariation in the human fecal microbiota has previously been associated with body mass index (BMI). Although obesity is a global health burden, the accumulation of abdominal visceral fat is the specific cardio-metabolic disease risk factor. Here, we explore links between the fecal microbiota and abdominal adiposity using body composition as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in a large sample of twins from the TwinsUK cohort, comparing fecal 16S rRNA diversity profiles with six adiposity measures.ResultsWe profile six adiposity measures in 3666 twins and estimate their heritability, finding novel evidence for strong genetic effects underlying visceral fat and android/gynoid ratio. We confirm the association of lower diversity of the fecal microbiome with obesity and adiposity measures, and then compare the association between fecal microbial composition and the adiposity phenotypes in a discovery subsample of twins. We identify associations between the relative abundances of fecal microbial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and abdominal adiposity measures. Most of these results involve visceral fat associations, with the strongest associations between visceral fat and Oscillospira members. Using BMI as a surrogate phenotype, we pursue replication in independent samples from three population-based cohorts including American Gut, Flemish Gut Flora Project and the extended TwinsUK cohort. Meta-analyses across the replication samples indicate that 8 OTUs replicate at a stringent threshold across all cohorts, while 49 OTUs achieve nominal significance in at least one replication sample. Heritability analysis of the adiposity-associated microbial OTUs prompted us to assess host genetic-microbe interactions at obesity-associated human candidate loci. We observe significant associations of adiposity-OTU abundances with host genetic variants in the FHIT, TDRG1 and ELAVL4 genes, suggesting a potential role for host genes to mediate the link between the fecal microbiome and obesity.ConclusionsOur results provide novel insights into the role of the fecal microbiota in cardio-metabolic disease with clear potential for prevention and novel therapies.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13059-016-1052-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

MDCT Diagnosis of Symptomatic Incarceration of the Right Ileocecocolic Mesentery Within a Complete 360-Degree Whirl of the Great Omentum: Follow the Vessels!

Case Report A 74-year-old female was referred to the emergency department with persistent abdominal pain. Five months earlier, she had experienced acute small bowel intestinal obstruction necessitating emergency laparotomy. This occlusion was caused by anterior parietal adherences related to recurrent previous abdominal surgery. Contrast-enhanced MDCT excluded now significant dilatation of the gut but demonstrated an unusual accumulation of abdominal fat incarcerating mesenteric vessels and bowel segments in the midline of the anterior mesogastrium (Figure 1, white arrows). Careful multiplanar analysis (Figure 2A, B, C shows the antero-posterior coronal MPR views, and Figure 2D shows the axial oblique MPR view) revealed the omental nature of the encircling fatty structure through the clear delineation of the encircling omental vessels (white arrows). This 360-degree whirl of the greater omentum was incarcerating the right ileocecocolic mesenteric vessels (white star); the two incarcerated and compressed bowel segments were identified as the terminal ileum and the transverse colon (black arrows). Selective volume-rendering reconstruction confirmed the whirl (Figure 3). Despite the fact that there was no critical dilatation nor suffering signs of the gut at the time of MDCT, the risk of occlusion was nevertheless considered important, and it seemed unlikely that this complete omental whirl would resolve spontaneously. This caution justified laparotomy.

Korelasi Indeks Massa Tubuh dengan Velositas Vena Femoralis

Background: Overweight and accumulation of abdominal fat is highly correlated with decreased of femoral vein velocity that contribute to increased risk of vein thromboembolism.Objectives: The aim of this study was to correlate body mass index (BMI) with femoral vein velocity.Material and Method: This study is a correlation analytic study with cross-sectional design in subject with BMI ? 18,5 kg/m2. BMI, waist hip ratio (WHR) and femoral vein velocity were assessed.Results: There were 40 subjects in this study, comprised of 25 (62,5%) men and 15 (37,5%) women, 23 to 49 year old. Spearman correlation revealed a signifcant inverse correlation between BMI and femoral vein velocity (r = -0,896, p = &lt;0,001), between WHR and femoral vein velocity (r = -0,701, p = &lt;0,001), and also revealed a signifcant positive correlation between BMI and WHR (r = 0,845 , p = &lt;0,001).Conclusion: BMI had a signifcant inverse correlation with femoral vein velocity, these fndings are supported by the signifcant positive correlation between BMI and WHR, potentially leading to elevated risk for venous thromboembolism.

OR22: Abdominal Fat Accumulation is a Key Determinant of Muscle Mass and Strength as Well as Cardiovascular Fitness in Active Elderly Subjects

OR22: Abdominal Fat Accumulation is a Key Determinant of Muscle Mass and Strength as Well as Cardiovascular Fitness in Active Elderly Subjects

Abdominal fat and blood pressure in healthy young children.

High blood pressure (BP) and obesity are well known risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Both risk factors exert an influence early in life, and BP is related to body weight. However, the effect of abdominal fat accumulation on BP in childhood is still unclear. We aimed to determine the relation between visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and BP in young children. In 862 healthy 5-year-old children of the Wheezing-Illnesses-Study-Leidsche-Rijn birth cohort, VAT and SAT were measured ultrasonographically. SBP and DBP were measured in sitting and supine postures using a semi-automatic oscillometric device. General linear regression analyses were performed to assess associations between abdominal fat and BP adjusted for confounders. Further explanatory models were run to explore if associations with localized abdominal fat distributions were independent of measures of overall body adiposity. Each millimeter increase in VAT was related to 0.17 mmHg (95% confidence interval: 0.08; 0.3) and 0.11 mmHg (0.02; 0.2) higher sitting SBP and DBP, respectively. These associations remained after additional adjustment for BMI (SBP: 0.14 mmHg/mm, 0.05; 0.2; DBP: 0.11 mmHg/mm, 0.02; 0.2), waist circumference (SBP: 0.16 mmHg/mm, 0.06; 0.3; DBP: 0.12 mmHg/mm, 0.03; 0.2) or early life growth (SBP: 0.16 mmHg/mm, 0.07; 0.3; DBP: 0.115 mmHg/mm, 0.03; 0.2). Associations between VAT and supine SBP and DBP were, respectively, 0.14 mmHg/mm (0.06; 0.2) and 0.08 mmHg/mm (0.004; 0.2), which remained after further explanatory analyses. SAT was not associated to SBP or DBP. Independent of body size, children with more VAT have higher BP, especially when measured in sitting posture.

Plasma leptin concentration is associated with fatigue severity in patients with cardiovascular risk factors – HSCAA study

Fatigue induced by complex dysfunctions of the central nervous system is frequently complained by patients with cardiovascular risk factors. Although leptin is considered to regulate the central nervous system, there are no reports regarding its association with fatigue in those patients. This cross-sectional study included 347 patients with cardiovascular risk factors. Fatigue score and plasma leptin concentration were measured. In addition, abdominal fat accumulation, systemic inflammation, sleep condition, and functions of hypothalamus-pituitary axis and autonomic system were estimated. Plasma leptin concentration (natural logarithm transformed) was significantly and positively (r=0.222, p<0.001) associated with fatigue score, and significantly (p<0.001) higher in the moderately-fatigued group (2.32±0.75ng/ml, mean±SD, n=52) than in the normally-fatigued group (1.85±1.02ng/ml, mean±SD, n=295). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that plasma leptin concentration was significantly and independently associated with a moderately-fatigued condition independent of other factors, including age, gender, presence of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, alcohol consumption habit, urinary free cortisol, serum high-sensitive CRP concentration, visceral and subcutaneous fat area, apnea/hypopnea index, sleep efficiency, and heart rate variability. Hyperleptinemia may contribute to fatigue severity in patients with cardiovascular risk factors.

Ramalin inhibits differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and suppresses adiposity and body weight in a high-fat diet-fed C57BL/6J mice

Obesity is a serious global health problem. Natural substances that could be effective remedies for treatment of obesity, and which are relatively safe, are desired. The aim of this study was to examine the anti-obesity effect and the mechanism of ramalin in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. In this study, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with various concentrations of ramalin (1, 5, and 10 μg/ml). Ramalin reduced the accumulation of intracellular lipid droplets in 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, ramalin inhibited 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation by blocking adipogenic gene expression including CCAAT enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors γ (PPARγ), adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (aP2), and leptin. The suppression of adipogenesis by ramalin was mediated through the inhibition of MAPK pathways. Ramalin also reduced the secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Oral administration of ramalin (50 and 100 mg/kg) to HFD-fed mice reduced body weight gain and abdominal fat accumulation without changes in food intake. Ramalin also attenuated organ weight and basal serum level by inhibiting Iiver X receptors (LXRs), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mRNA expression in HFD-fed mice. Taken together, these results indicate that ramalin inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and prevents HFD-induced obesity. The present study also provides insight into the mechanisms underlying the anti-obesity activity of ramalin and suggests that ramalin has the potential to prevent obesity.

Differences in Abdominal and Liver Fat Accumulation Between Obesity-Matched Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Adults

PURPOSE: To determine whether type 2 diabetic (T2D) have greater levels of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and liver fat by comparison to age and obesity-matched non-diabetics (NT2Ds) in White and Asian adults. METHODS: Four thousand, five hundred and four participants were initially recruited from 29 countries in a multicenter, international observational, cross-sectional analysis. From this sample, 2383 White and Asian adults were selected for the focus of this analysis. T2D and NT2D men and women were matched for age, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). T2D and NT2D men and women were also compared to participants with either impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; (IFG/IGT group)). A secondary analysis determined whether differences exist between NT2Ds and T2Ds in VAT and liver fat accumulation within selected BMI categories for Whites and Asians. Abdominal adipose tissue was measured by computed tomography; liver fat was estimated using the computed tomography-derived mean attenuation. RESULTS: T2Ds and IFG/IGT had elevated levels of VAT and liver fat compared to NT2Ds across gender and ethnicity (p0.05). However, liver fat accumulation was greater in T2Ds compared to IFG/IGT in both White and Asian participants (p<0.05). Within each BMI category, T2Ds had elevated VAT and liver fat compared to age and anthropometrically matched NT2Ds in both Whites and Asians (p<0.05). With few exceptions, abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue levels were not different in T2Ds or IFG/IGT compared to NT2Ds independent of gender or ethnicity. CONCLUSION: Compared to age and obesity-matched men and women, White and Asian T2Ds, and those with IFG/IGT, present with greater levels of both VAT and liver fat.

A Heterozygous ZMPSTE24 Mutation Associated with Severe Metabolic Syndrome, Ectopic Fat Accumulation, and Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

ZMPSTE24 encodes the only metalloprotease, which transforms prelamin into mature lamin A. Up to now, mutations in ZMPSTE24 have been linked to Restrictive Dermopathy (RD), Progeria or Mandibulo-Acral Dysplasia (MAD). We report here the phenotype of a patient referred for severe metabolic syndrome and cardiomyopathy, carrying a mutation in ZMPSTE24. The patient presented with a partial lipodystrophic syndrome associating hypertriglyceridemia, early onset type 2 diabetes, and android obesity with truncal and abdominal fat accumulation but without subcutaneous lipoatrophy. Other clinical features included acanthosis nigricans, liver steatosis, dilated cardiomyopathy, and high myocardial and hepatic triglycerides content. Mutated fibroblasts from the patient showed increased nuclear shape abnormalities and premature senescence as demonstrated by a decreased Population Doubling Level, an increased beta-galactosidase activity and a decreased BrdU incorporation rate. Reduced prelamin A expression by siRNA targeted toward LMNA transcripts resulted in decreased nuclear anomalies. We show here that a central obesity without subcutaneous lipoatrophy is associated with a laminopathy due to a heterozygous missense mutation in ZMPSTE24. Given the high prevalence of metabolic syndrome and android obesity in the general population, and in the absence of familial study, the causative link between mutation and phenotype cannot be formally established. Nevertheless, altered lamina architecture observed in mutated fibroblasts are responsible for premature cellular senescence and could contribute to the phenotype observed in this patient.

Follicle-stimulating hormone increases the intramuscular fat content and expression of lipid biosynthesis genes in chicken breast muscle

Intramuscular fat (IMF) is a crucial factor in the quality of chicken meat. The genetic basis underlying it is complex. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), well-known as an effector in reproductive tissues, was recently discovered to stimulate abdominal fat accumulation in chicken. The effect of FSH on IMF accumulation and the underlying molecular regulatory mechanisms controlling both IMF and abdominal fat deposition in vivo are largely unknown. In this study, two groups of chickens were treated with chicken FSH or a placebo. The lipid content of breast muscle, abdominal fat volume, and serum concentrations of FSH were examined. Related genes implicated in breast muscle and abdominal fat accumulation were also investigated. Compared to the control group, the triglyceride (TG) content of breast muscle and the percentage of abdominal fat in FSH-treated chickens were significantly increased by 64.9% and 56.5% (P<0.01), respectively. The FSH content in the serum of FSH-treated chickens was 2.1 times than that of control chickens (P<0.01). Results from quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays showed that relative expression levels of fatty acid synthase (FAS), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2), adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) were significantly upregulated in breast muscle following FSH treatment (P<0.01). Treatment with FSH also significantly increased relative expression levels of FAS, LPL, DGAT2, A-FABP, and PPARγ in abdominal fat tissue (P<0.05). The results of principal component analysis (PCA) for gene expression (breast muscle and abdominal fat) showed that the control and FSH treatment groups were well separated, which indicated the reliability of the data. This study demonstrates that FSH plays an important role in IMF accumulation in female chickens, which likely involves the regulation of biosynthesis genes related to lipid metabolism.

0093 : Endothelium masks increased sympathetic vasopressor activity in rats with metabolic syndrome

Despite sympathetic hyperactivation is considered as a key trigger of hypertension, in some obese or metabolic syndrome (MetS) subjects, such altered sympatho-vagal balance was not associated with changes in arterial blood pressure. Vascular endothelium is a potent modulator of adrenergic vascular tone, thus we aimed to determine, in a rat model of MetS, whether the endothelium and especially the classical vasodilatory eNOS-NO pathway could counteract the effect of increased sympathetic vasopressor action. After14 weeks of high fat high sucrose diet (HFS), HFS developed several features of MetS phenotype, such as increased body mass, abdominal fat accumulation, high LDL and triglycerides levels, higher fasting blood glucose and insulinemia, as well as impaired glucose and insulin tolerance compared with control rats (Ctrl) fed with standard diet. As assessed by catecholamine assay and heart rate variability analysis (HRV), HFS rats also presented increased sympathetic outflow but without consequences on skin microcirculation and arterial blood pressure. In HFS rats, vascular reactivity test revealed hyporeactivity to α1-adrenergic receptors (AR) stimulation with unchanged α 1DAR expression. This phenomenon was rather due to endothelial adaptation since endothelial removal or eNOS inhibition by L-NAME normalized adrenergic vasoconstriction in HFS rats. In addition, eNOS phosphorylation (activation site, ser1177) was increased by PE in HFS ones only. In line with this result, eNOS inhibition in-vivo also revealed higher blood pressure in HFS rats compared to Ctrl ones. In conclusion, tonic restrain of adrenergic vasopressor action by endothelium is increased in HFS rats which contribute to maintain their blood pressure in normal range. The author hereby declares no conflict of interest

Dysregulation Of The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Increases Central Body Fat Accumulation In Males Affected By Diabetes Mellitus And Late-Onset Hypogonadism

Functional hypercortisolism (FH) is a condition which occurs in some clinical states, such as major depression, eating disorders, numerous psychiatric conditions, and diabetes mellitus (DM) and which exerts several negative systemic effects. No data exist on the potentially harmful role of FH on body composition. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the influence of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation on body composition in men affected by DM-associated late-onset hypogonadism (LOH). Fourteen subjects affected by FH (FH-LOH) and 18 subjects not affected (N-LOH) were studied. Clinical, hormonal, and body composition measures were considered. The 2 groups had comparable age and weight. FH-LOH patients had lower levels of total (2 ± 0.27 ng/mL versus 2.31 ± 0.26 ng/mL; P = .003) and free (39.5 ± 6.44 pg/mL versus 46.8 ± 7.23 pg/mL; P = .005) (median, 38.7 [interquartile range, 36.1 to 41.3] pg/mL versus median, 46.1 [interquartile range, 40.4 to 52.7] pg/mL) testosterone compared to N-LOH patients. Abdominal fat amount was greater in FH-LOH than in N-LOH patients, even after adjustment for total testosterone. None of the bivariate correlations between body composition measures and hormonal variables were significant in N-LOH. Conversely, in FH-LOH, cortisol area under the curve (AUC) was found to be positively and significantly correlated with trunk (r = 0.933; P<.001) and abdominal fat (r = 0.852; P<.001) and negatively with lean leg (r = -0.607; P = .021). All of these associations were further confirmed upon linear regression analysis in FH-LOH (respectively, unstandardized β = 10.988 [P<.001]; β = 1.156 [P<.001]; β = -7.675 [P = .021]). Multivariate regression analysis confirmed AUC cortisol as a predictor of trunk and abdominal fat in FH-LOH. Dysregulation of the HPA axis in LOH-associated DM seems to be involved in abdominal fat accumulation.

Effect of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone and Rosiglitazone for HIV-Associated Abdominal Fat Accumulation on Adiponectin and other Markers of Inflammation

Background/Objective: In a previous report of HIV-infected patients with fat redistribution, we found that recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy reduced visceral adipose tissue (VAT) but increased insulin resistance, and that the addition of rosiglitazone reversed the negative effects of rhGH on insulin sensitivity. In this study, we sought to determine the effects of rhGH and rosiglitazone therapy on an array of inflammatory and fibrinolytic markers.Methods: 72 patients with HIV-associated abdominal obesity and insulin resistance were randomized to treatment with rhGH, rosiglitazone, the combination of rhGH and rosiglitazone, or placebo for 12 weeks. Subjects with plasma and serum samples available at weeks 0 (n = 63) and 12 (n = 46–48) were assessed for adiponectin, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen, and tissue plasminogen activator antigen.Results: Treatment with both rosiglitazone alone and the combination of rosiglitazone and rhGH for 12 weeks resulted in significant increases in adiponectin levels from baseline. Adiponectin levels did not change significantly in the rhGH arm alone . There were no significant changes in the other biomarkers among the different treatment groups.Discussion: In this study of HIV-infected patients with altered fat distribution, treatment with rosiglitazone had beneficial effects on adiponectin concentrations, an effect that was also seen with a combination of rosiglitazone and rhGH. RhGH administration alone, however, did not demonstrate any significant impact on adiponectin levels despite reductions in VAT.

Influences of teriparatide administration on marrow fat content in postmenopausal osteopenic women using MR spectroscopy

Objective Teriparatide could induce osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells while inhibiting adipocyte differentiation. However, there are significant differences between ex vivo and in vivo models. We aimed to evaluate the impact of teriparatide on marrow and abdominal fat accumulation in postmenopausal osteopenic women.Methods Postmenopausal osteopenic women were randomly assigned to receive teriparatide or placebo for 12 months. Subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT), marrow fat fraction (MFF), bone density (BMD) and bone biomarkers were measured at baseline, 6 and 12 months.Results At 12 months, mean percentage changes in BMD from baseline were 3.51%, 2.21% and 1.80% at lumbar spine, total hip and femoral neck for the teriparatide group, respectively. Relative to baseline conditions, teriparatide reduced MFF (–3.54% at 6 months; –5.87% at 12 months, all p < 0.01). A significant difference in MFF, but not BMD, was first detected at 6 months (p = 0.012) between groups. MFF was negatively associated with SAT (r = –0.479) and positively associated with VAT (r = 0.531) and VAT/SAT (r = 0.415, all p < 0.05). Teriparatide treatment did not alter abdominal fat composition.Conclusion Teriparatide effectively lowers marrow adiposity but not abdominal fat accumulation in postmenopausal osteopenic women.

Effect of processed Kombu which was changed in the composition, on abdominal fat accumulation in diet-induced obese mice

Effect of processed Kombu which was changed in the composition, on abdominal fat accumulation in diet-induced obese mice

Oral administration of green algae, Euglena gracilis, inhibits hyperglycemia in OLETF rats, a model of spontaneous type 2 diabetes.

In the present study, the effects of Euglena and paramylon on hyperglycemia were examined in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF; type 2 diabetes mellitus model) rats. OLETF rats were fed an AIN-93 M diet containing cellulose, Euglena, or paramylon for 10 weeks. Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats were used as nondiabetic controls. An oral glucose-tolerance test (OGTT) was performed at 0 and 10 weeks. OLETF control rats were obese because of bulimia and showed abdominal fat accumulation and hyperglycemia. Euglena supplementation improved hyperglycemia and decreased food intake, body weight gain, and abdominal fat. However, there were no changes in the paramylon-supplemented group compared to the OLETF control group. Triglyceride concentrations in the serum and liver were lower in Euglena-supplemented rats than in OLETF control rats. There was a correlation between hepatic triglyceride concentration and the area under the curve (AUC) of OGTT at 10 weeks. This suggests that the improvement in glycemic control in the Euglena-supplemented group may depend on substances other than paramylon present in Euglena.

Polymorphism of the porcine miR-30d is associated with adipose tissue accumulation, its fatty acid profile and the ME1 gene expression

The miR-30 gene family includes potential regulators of adipogenesis. We searched for polymorphism in this gene family in 4 pig breeds: Duroc, Pietrain, Polish Landrace (PL), Polish Large White (PLW) and a synthetic line (L990). Altogether 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 3 genes were found, including one already known SNP rs340704946 within the pre-miR-30d genomic sequence. An association of the rs340704946 with intramuscular fat (IMF) content, abdominal fat accumulation and daily body mass gain in L990 was found. Moreover, the AG genotype was associated with an increased content of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in subcutaneous (P=0.027) and visceral fat (P=0.007) tissues when compared to the GG genotype. Analysis of PLW pigs revealed an association of the rs340704946 with transcript level of the ME1 gene in longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle (P=0.002), as well as the ME1 protein product in the LD muscle (P<0.001) and subcutaneous fat (P<0.001). We conclude that the rs340704946 can be considered as a functional polymorphism for pig production traits and fatty acid profile in adipose tissue.

Anthropometric Indicators Predict Metabolic Syndrome Diagnosis in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients.

Obesity has been considered the key in metabolic syndrome (MetS) development, and fat accumulation may be responsible for the occurrence of metabolic abnormalities in hemodialysis patients. The use of gold-standard methods to evaluate obesity is limited, and anthropometric measures may be the simplest methods. However, no study has investigated the association between anthropometric indexes and MetS in these patients. Therefore, the aim was to determine which anthropometric indexes had the best association and prediction for MetS in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Cross-sectional study that included patients older than 18 years, undergoing hemodialysis for at least 3 months. Patients with liver disease and cancer or those receiving corticosteroids or antiretroviral therapy were excluded. Diagnostic criteria from Harmonizing Metabolic Syndrome were used for the diagnosis of MetS. Anthropometric indexes evaluated were body mass index (BMI); percent standard of triceps skinfold thickness and of middle arm muscle circumference; waist circumference (WC); sagittal abdominal diameter; neck circumference; waist-to-hip, waist-to-thigh, and waist-to-height ratios; sagittal index; conicity index; and body fat percentage. Ninety-eight patients were included, 54.1% male, and mean age was 57.8 ± 12.9 years. The prevalence of MetS was 74.5%. Individuals with MetS had increased accumulation of abdominal fat and general obesity. Waist-to-height ratio was the variable independently associated with MetS diagnosis (odds ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-1.34; P < .01) and that better predicts MetS, followed by WC and BMI (area under the curve of 0.840, 0.836, and 0.798, respectively, P < .01). Waist-to-height ratio was the best anthropometric predictor of MetS in maintenance hemodialysis patients.