Visceral Adipose Tissue Levels Research Articles

Effects of a Nonlinear Program on Different Health Parameters in the Elderly.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of a nonlinear training program on visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, as well as the response of biochemical parameters such as fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG). The nonlinear periodized program would produce greater improvements in outcomes than the linear periodized training program. Randomized cross-sectional design. Level 3. Older adults with no previous training experience (10 male and 8 female [age, 64 ± 2.1 years; height, 165.12 ± 7.5 cm; body mass, 72.5 ± 11.4 kg; body max index, 26.5 ± 3.2 kg/m2]) were randomized to linear (n = 9, TT) or undulating (n = 9, UT) periodization. After a 3-week familiarization period, all participants performed 3 sessions of resistance training per week; 8 weeks of training were conducted for each group. Dual x-ray absorptiometry was used to measure VAT, and SBP and DBP were measured using an OMRON M3 digital automatic blood pressure monitor. Blood samples were collected between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. after 12-hour overnight fasting. Both interventions significantly (P < 0.05) decreased FPG, TC, LDL-C, and TG. A significant decrease in SBP and DBP was observed only in the UT group (P < 0.05). No significant between-group differences in outcomes were observed (P > 0.5). However, the effect size was marginally more pronounced for all outcomes in the UT group. An undulating periodization program was effective in improving VAT, TC, LDL-C, FPG, HDL-C, TG, and blood glucose levels in older adults. Resistance training can be programmed in an undulating or traditional way in older adults based on improvements in health parameters, considering adherence and individual preferences.

Evaluation of visceral adipose tissue thresholds for elevated metabolic syndrome risk across diverse populations: A systematic review.

Beyond obesity, excess levels of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) significantly contribute to the risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS), although thresholds for increased risk vary based on population, regions of interest, and units of measure employed. We sought to determine whether a common threshold exists that is indicative of heightened MetS risk across all populations, accounting for sex, age, BMI, and race/ethnicity. A systematic literature review was conducted in September 2023, presenting threshold values for elevated MetS risk. Standardization equations harmonized the results from DXA, CT, and MRI systems to facilitate a comparison of threshold variations across studies. A total of 52 papers were identified. No single threshold could accurately indicate elevated risk for both males and females across varying BMI, race/ethnicity, and age groups. Thresholds fluctuated from 70 to 165.9cm2, with reported values consistently lower in females. Generally, premenopausal females and younger adults manifested elevated risks at lower VAT compared to their older counterparts. Notably, Asian populations exhibited elevated risks at lower VAT areas (70-136 cm2) compared to Caucasian populations (85.6-165.9cm2). All considered studies reported associations of VAT without accommodating covariates. No single VAT area threshold for elevated MetS risk was discernible post-harmonization by technology, units of measure, and region of interest. This review summarizes available evidence for MetS risk assessment in clinical practice. Further exploration of demographic-specific interactions between VAT area and other risk factors is imperative to comprehensively delineate overarching MetS risk.

Are Young People with Turner Syndrome Who Have Undergone Treatment with Growth and Sex Hormones at Higher Risk of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Complications?

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), characterized by visceral obesity, glucose abnormalities, hypertension and dyslipidemia, poses a significant risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Turner syndrome (TS), resulting from X chromosome abnormalities, carries health complications. Despite growing evidence of an increased risk of MetS in women with TS, its prevalence and risk factors remain under investigation. These considerations are further complicated by the varying timing and dosages of treatment with growth hormone and sex hormones. We conducted a cross-sectional study comparing 44 individuals with TS with 52 age-matched control subjects. Growth hormone treatment in the study group was administered for varying lengths of time, depending on clinical response. We collected anthropometric, metabolic, endocrine and body composition data. Statistical analyses included logistic regression. Baseline characteristics, including age, BMI and height, were comparable between the TS and control groups. Hormonally, individuals with TS showed lower levels of testosterone, DHEA-S, and cortisol, as well as elevated FSH. Lipid profiles indicated an atherogenic profile, and the body composition analysis showed increased visceral adipose tissue in those with TS. Other metabolic abnormalities were common in individuals with TS too, including hypertension and impaired fasting glucose levels. The risk of MetS components was assessed in subgroups according to karyotypes: monosomy 45X0 vs. other mosaic karyotypes. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between increased visceral adipose tissue in subjects with TS. Those with metabolic complications tended to have less muscle strength compared to those without these complications in both the study and control groups. This study highlights the unique metabolic and cardiovascular risk profile of individuals with TS, characterized by atherogenic lipids, higher levels of visceral adipose tissue and increased metabolic abnormalities. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring metabolic health in individuals with TS, regardless of age, BMI or karyotype, and suggest the potential benefits of lifestyle modification, building more muscle strength, and weight control strategies. Further research is needed to better understand and address the metabolic challenges faced by women with TS.

Association between visceral adipose tissue and asthma based on the NHANES and Mendelian randomization study.

Obesity is a crucial risk factor for asthma. Observational studies have examined the association between abdominal obesity and asthma symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and asthma and its potential as an independent indicator. This study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning 2011-8. Multivariable logistic regression and stratified variable selection were employed to identify associations between asthma and VAT. Moreover, a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis, using 221 genetic variants as instrumental variables, was conducted to assess this relationship further. Our findings indicated that individuals with higher VAT levels were more likely to develop asthma. Visceral obesity remained a significant risk factor for asthma after adjusting for demographic characteristics. Genetic predictions suggest a positive association between VAT and an elevated risk of asthma (odds ratio [OR] = 1.393, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.266-1.534, and P = 1.43E-11). No significant polymorphisms were detected using the Mendelian randomization-Egger intercept test. This study presents potential evidence supporting the causal role of VAT in asthma development. Furthermore, the findings from the Mendelian randomization analysis further reinforce the relationship between VAT and asthma risk.

Impact of body composition on clinical outcomes in patients with active radiographic axial spondyloarthritis under biological therapy.

To assess the association of body composition, evaluated by bioimpedance analysis (BIA), with disease activity, physical function, and mobility in patients with axSpA undergoing bDMARD treatment for one year. Patients with AS (radiographic axSpA) were enrolled in an extension of the German Spondyloarthritis Inception Cohort (GESPIC). Patients were required to be candidates for bDMARD therapy at baseline presenting high disease activity despite previous treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Outcomes (disease activity, function, and mobility) and body composition parameters were assessed at baseline and every 6 months thereafter. Body composition was assessed by BIA. The association between body composition parameters and outcomes over 1 year was analyzed using longitudinal generalized estimating equations. Seventy-four patients with radiographic axSpA were included in current analysis with a mean age of 36.5 years, disease duration of 6.2 years and ASDAS-CRP score of 3.4 at baseline. Fat mass value and fat mass index were positively associated with disease activity (ASDAS: ß = 0.01, 95% CI [-0.01, 0.03] and ß = 0.04, 95% CI [-0.01, 0.08], respectively) and functional disability (BASFI). Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was associated with reduced spine mobility (BASMI: ß = 0.20, 95% CI [0.07, 0.33]). Additionally, increase in VAT and fat mass parameters was linked to worse disease activity and functional disability in women, while they were strongly associated with reduced spinal mobility in men. Higher levels of body fat and VAT were positively associated with increased disease activity, functional disability, and reduced spinal mobility in patients with radiographic axSpA treated with bDMARDs.

Analysis of Clinical and Genetic Factors of Obesity and Psoriasis Concomitance-The Influence of Body Mass Composition, Prevalence of Mood Disorders, Environmental Factors and FTO Gene Polymorphisms (rs9939609, rs1558902).

The study enrolled 30 overweight or obese adult patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and 30 overweight or obese volunteers (northern Poland region, Caucasian population). Mood disorders, body mass composition by using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and FTO gene polymorphisms (rs9939609, rs1558902) by tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system PCR (T-ARMS-PCR) were assessed. Results revealed significantly higher visceral adipose tissue levels in psoriatic patients (5.23 ± 2.29 [L] vs. 3.41 ± 1.86 [L]), p = 0.001), especially among men, along with elevated rates of moderate and severe depression (26.67% vs. 6.67% and 13.33% vs. 3.33%, p = 0.048 respectively). Additionally, FTO gene polymorphisms correlated with waist-hip ratio differences in both groups. The study highlights the importance of evaluating body composition beyond body mass index, recognizing its influence on psoriasis and associated conditions like depression. The FTO gene may serve as a potential genetic link between psoriasis and obesity, warranting further research for validation. Adiposity emerges as a key and modifiable risk factor, underscoring the clinical implications of body composition complexities in psoriasis management.

P824 Association between visceral adipose tissue and disease duration, clinical activity, and response to various biological agents in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract Background The relationship between body fat composition and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) progression, medical response, and prognosis is widely acknowledged. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) has been shown to be profoundly responsible of most of the obesity-associated metabolic derangements, however it is also related to severity of inflammation. Although VAT can be estimated using computerized tomography, abdominal bioimpedance is a new and reliable technique without expense and radiation exposure. We investigated whether VAT is linked to the disease activity in severe IBD and the short-term response to biological therapies. Methods We prospectively evaluated 65 IBD patients, (n=26 with ulcerative colitis (UC) and n=39 with Crohn’s disease (CD) who had moderate-severe disease activity) at baseline before the initiation of biological therapy. We quantified VAT using abdominal bioimpedance (ViScan). VAT and other body fat metric measures (BMI, total and free fat mass, abdominal fat mass) were also analyzed. The response to biological agents was assessed by clinical (Mayo and CDAI) and endoscopical (mucosal healing) scores at 3 months. Results Out of the 65 patients, 22 individuals (33.8%) exhibited clinical and/or endoscopic response after 3 months. Among responders and non-responders, there was a comparable approximation of disease location (p=0.321) and behavior (p=0.239). Patients with CD had slightly lower levels of VAT, BMI, and free fat mass compared to those with UC. In non-responders with UC, VAT levels were lower than in responders, whereas in non-responders with CD, VAT levels were higher than in responders. No distinction was observed in the VAT response among other classes of biologics, including anti-TNF, ustekinumab, and vedolizumab. Conclusion In summary, VAT parameters using bioimpedance (ViScan) were found to be correlated with the disease activity and reliably identified IBD patients who responded well to various biological treatment in the short-term. Therefore, human fat indices might be novel biomarkers for disease severity and response to therapy.

P1074 Impact of body mass index (BMI) on clinical outcomes and drug levels in patients with Crohn’s disease receiving maintenance treatment with subcutaneous infliximab: A post hoc analysis of the LIBERTY-CD study

Abstract Background Obesity and high levels of visceral adipose tissue are associated with lower response rates to intravenous (IV) infliximab (IFX).1 Subcutaneous (SC) IFX is a novel formulation that demonstrated superiority to placebo as maintenance therapy in patients (pts) with moderate-to-severe active Crohn’s disease (CD) in the Phase 3 LIBERTY-CD study. Assessing efficacy of SC IFX by BMI is important as, unlike the IV formulation, pts receive a fixed dose. This post hoc analysis aimed to assess the association between BMI and the efficacy of SC IFX therapy. Methods Data from LIBERTY-CD (NCT03945019) were analysed; 231 pts from the SC IFX arm were divided into four subsets by their BMI: underweight (BMI &amp;lt;18.5 kg/m2, n=27); normal (18.5–24.9 kg/m2, n=133); overweight (25–29.9 kg/m2, n=53); obese (≥30 kg/m2, n=18). Co-primary endpoints at Week (W) 54 (clinical remission [CD Activity Index (CDAI) score &amp;lt;150]; endoscopic response [≥50% decrease in Simple Endoscopic Score for CD (SES-CD) from baseline (BL)]) and W54 change from BL in CDAI score were assessed by BMI subset. Correlations between BMI and CDAI score, SES-CD or median trough level of infliximab (TLI), and the impact of BMI on W54 TLI, were evaluated. Analyses were conducted in a descriptive manner. Results At W54, there were no statistically significant differences in co-primary endpoints or change from BL in CDAI score across BMI subsets, despite descending trends in rates of achieving co-primary endpoints, change in CDAI score and TLI with increasing BMI (Table). From the underweight to obese subsets, clinical remission rates were 63.0%, 66.2%, 58.5% and 44.4% (p=0.125), endoscopic response rates were 55.6%, 36.1%, 41.5% and 27.8% (p=0.207) and median changes from BL in CDAI score were −227.3, −212.9, −196.2 and −204.5 (p=0.358). No significant correlations were observed between BMI and CDAI score (Pearson r=0.0972/p=0.141; Spearman rank r=0.0619/p=0.349) or BMI and SES-CD (Pearson r=0.0446/p=0.507; Spearman rank r=0.0375/p=0.577), while there was a weak, but significant, negative correlation between BMI and TLI (Pearson r=−0.2808/p&amp;lt;0.001; Spearman rank r=−0.2829/p&amp;lt;0.001) (Figure). Additionally, there was a significant difference in median W54 TLI across BMI subsets from underweight to obese (17.0, 13.6, 9.3 and 6.6 µg/mL; p=0.007) (Table). Conclusion While there was a significant difference in TLI across BMI subsets, there was no statistically significant impact of BMI on W54 clinical or endoscopic outcomes. These results could be explained by the relatively high TLI achieved with the SC formulation. Further larger and longer-term studies including pts with morbid obesity and utilising body composition assessment are warranted. 1Yarur A et al. Gastroenterology 2023;165:963–75.

Exercise-induced effects on asprosin and indices of atherogenicity and insulin resistance in males with metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) development is associated with insulin resistance and obesity, with the progression of visceral adipose tissue playing a crucial role. Excessive adipose tissue is accompanied by an increase in the asprosin (ASP), which is responsible for carbohydrate metabolism and the regulation of hunger and satiety. Exercise affects the release of ASP, which may regulate metabolism accordingly. Due to the inconclusive results of the effect of exercise on ASP concentration in men with MetS, 12-week interventions were carried out in the following groups: EG1—aerobic training (n = 21, age: 34.21 ± 6.06, WC; waist circumference: 114.7 ± 10.93) and EG2—a combination of aerobic and resistance training (n = 21, age: 37.37 ± 7.08, WC: 114.8 ± 11.64) and compared with a control group (CG) of men with MetS without any intervention (n = 20, age: 38.26 ± 7.43, WC: 115.3 ± 10.54). Body composition, indicators of carbohydrate-lipid metabolism, and ASP were assessed four times: before the intervention, at 6 and 12 weeks of training, and 4 weeks after the training sessions. A comparison of the intervention influence on changes in the analyzed variables between the groups was performed using ANOVA test for dependent groups with post-hoc comparison. The effect size (ES) was also assessed using squared eta (η2). The implementation of aerobic training resulted in a decrease in ASP concentration (p = 0.03) within 6 weeks of the intervention, while in the CG a gradual increase in ASP was confirmed (p < 0.001). Aerobic-resistance training did not induce significant changes in ASP concentration but resulted in an increase in fat-free mass/fat mass (FFM/FM) ratio (p < 0.001), and a decrease (p = 0.04) in Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Changes in the visceral adipose tissue level indicate a gradual decrease in both the EG1 (p = 0.01) and EG2 (p = 0.04) groups. Both aerobic and aerobic-resistance exercises may have a regulatory effect, mainly by reducing visceral adipose tissue, on the improvement of metabolic disorders.

The potential role of omentin-1 in obesity-related metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: evidence from translational studies

BackgroundObesity, characterized by visceral adipose tissue (VAT) expansion, is closely associated with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Recent research has highlighted the crucial role of the adipose tissue—liver axis in the development of MASLD. In this study, we investigated the potential role of omentin-1, a novel adipokine expressed by VAT, in obesity-related MASLD pathogenesis.MethodsThrough in silico analysis of differentially expressed genes in VAT from obese patients with and without MASH, we identified omentin-1 as a significant candidate. To validate our findings, we measured omentin-1 levels in VAT and plasma of lean controls and obese patients with biopsy-proven MASLD. Additionally, we assessed omentin-1 expression in the VAT of diet-induced mice MASLD model. In vitro and ex vivo studies were conducted to investigate the effects of omentin-1 on MASLD-related mechanisms, including steatosis, inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and oxidative stress. We also analyzed the impact of d-glucose and insulin on VAT omentin-1 levels ex vivo.ResultsCompared to the lean group, the obese groups exhibited significantly lower VAT and plasma levels of omentin-1. Interestingly, within the obese groups, omentin-1 is further decreased in MASH groups, independent of fibrosis. Likewise, VAT of mice fed with high-fat diet, showing histological signs of MASH showed decreased omentin-1 levels as compared to their control diet counterpart. In vitro experiments on fat-laden human hepatocytes revealed that omentin-1 did not affect steatosis but significantly reduced TNF-α levels, ER stress, and oxidative stress. Similar results were obtained using ex vivo VAT explants from obese patients upon omentin-1 supplementation. Furthermore, omentin-1 decreased the mRNA expression of NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK and JNK). Ex vivo VAT explants showed that d-glucose and insulin significantly reduced omentin-1 mRNA expression and protein levels.ConclusionsCollectively, our findings suggest that reduced omentin-1 levels contribute to the development of MASLD. Omentin-1 supplementation likely exerts its beneficial effects through the inhibition of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, and it may additionally play a role in the regulation of glucose and insulin metabolism. Further research is warranted to explore omentin-1 as a potential therapeutic target and/or biomarker for MASLD.Graphical

Anthropometric measures, predicted visceral adipose tissue and biomarkers of chronic inflammation.

Evidence has linked low-grade systemic inflammation and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) with development of chronic conditions. Cytokines and select proteins released by VAT may promote a low-grade inflammatory response. A number of equations have been developed to estimate VAT levels. In this study, we compared predicted VAT equation relationships with biomarkers of inflammation. This was a cross-sectional study of 2038 men and women aged 46-73 years. Correlation and linear regression analyses were performed to examine inflammatory biomarker relationships with four commonly assessed anthropometric measures and 10 predicted VAT equations. Compared with anthropometric measures, predicted VAT equations were found to explain a greater proportion of variance in CRP (R2 = .075, p = .001), IL-6 (R2 = .060, p = .001), TNF-α (R2 = .017, p = .005), resistin (R2 = .011, p = .012), monocyte (R2 = .027, p = .001), eosinophil (R2 = .012, p = .01) and basophil (R2 = .015, p = .002) levels in males, and a greater variance in concentrations of C3 (R2 = .175, p = .001), IL-6 (R2 = .090, p = .001), TNF-α (R2 = .036, p = .001), adiponectin (R2 = .121, p = .001), the adiponectin-to-leptin ratio (R2 = .444, p = .001), resistin (R2 = .025, p = .001), white blood cell count (R2 = .057, p = .001), neutrophils (R2 = .061, p = .001) and lymphocytes (R2 = .020, p = .001) in females. Equations for assessing VAT levels might be useful to characterise metabolic health. Further studies that examine predicted VAT relationships with disease and mortality outcomes are warranted.

Standardization of dual-energy x-ray visceral adipose tissue measures for comparison across clinical imaging systems.

Excess visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is a major risk factor for metabolic syndrome (MetS) and clinical guidelines have been proposed to define VAT levels associated with increased risk. The aim was to standardize VAT measures between two dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) manufacturers who provide different VAT estimates to support standardization of measures across imaging modalities. Scans from 114 individuals (ages 18-81 years) on GE HealthCare (GEHC) and Hologic DXA systems were compared via Deming regression to standardize VAT between the two systems, validated in a separate sample (n = 15), with κ statistics to assess agreement of VAT measurements for classifying patients into risk categories. The GEHC and Hologic VAT measures were highly correlated and validated in the separate data set (r2 = 0.97). VAT area measures substantially agreed for metabolic risk classification (weighted κ = 0.76) with no significant differences in the population mean values. VAT measures can be estimated from GEHC and Hologic scans that classify individuals in a substantially similar way into metabolic risk categories, and systematic bias between the measures can be removed using simple regression equations. These findings allow for DXA VAT measures to be used in complement to other imaging modalities, regardless of whether scans used GEHC or Hologic systems.

Visceral adipose tissue increases the risk of periodontal disease: Results from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and Mendelian randomization analysis.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship and potential causal effect of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) on periodontal disease (PD). Despite prior research on this, there has been no definitive conclusion. Therefore, this study aimed to provide additional insight into these associations. This study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2014 to examine the association between VAT and PD in a cross-sectional study design. Various analytical methods were employed, such as multivariable logistic regression, restricted cubic spline analysis, and p-value for trend. Additionally, two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to evaluate the potential causal effect of VAT on PD risk. These methods enabled us to evaluate the association between VAT and PD and to establish whether VAT could be a causal factor in PD development. The study examined a sample of 3535 participants, and the findings suggested that higher VAT levels were associated with an increased risk of PD. In addition, multivariable regression analysis conducted in six models revealed a statistically significant association between VAT and PD risk. Restricted cubic spline analysis showed an inverted U-shaped association between VAT and PD, with a turning point at 733 g of VAT. Finally, a two-sample MR analysis provided evidence for a potential causal relationship between VAT and PD risk, with an odds ratio of 1.16 (95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.33, p = .027) per kg increase in genetically predicted VAT. The results of this study suggest that there is a significant association between VAT and PD and that VAT could be a potential causal factor in PD risk. Our results also suggest that although there is a potential link between VAT levels and PD risk, the effect size is modest. Therefore, interventions designed to reduce VAT levels should not be considered a primary strategy for PD risk reduction but could be one of many strategies used in a comprehensive approach to PD risk management.

The association of body composition and outcomes following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Recently there has been a growing interest in evaluating body composition as a marker for prognosis in cancer patients. The association of body composition parameters and outcomes has not been deeply investigated in patients with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 264 NHL patients who received autologous HSCT. PreHSCT abdominal CT scans at the levels of L3 were assessed for body composition measures. We evaluated sarcopenia, myosteatosis, high visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and high visceral adipose tissue density (VATD). Using multivariable Cox proportional regression, we analyzed the association of clinical and transplant-related characteristics with overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), and non-relapse mortality (NRM). In a multivariate regression model, patients with higher VATD had worse OS (HR 1.78; 95% confidence intervals CI 1.08-2.95, p = 0.02) and worse NRM (HR 2.31 95% CI 1.08-4.95, p = 0.02) than with lower VATD. Patients with lower levels of VAT also had worse RFS (HR 1.49 95% CI 1.03-2.15, p = 0.03). Sarcopenia and myosteatosis were not associated with outcomes. High pre-transplant VATD was associated with lower OS and higher NRM, and low pre-transplant VAT was associated with worse RFS in patients with NHL undergoing autologous HSCT.

The role of sex in the relationship between fasting adipokines levels, maximal fat oxidation during exercise, and insulin resistance in young adults with excess adiposity

AimPrevious evidence suggest that a sexual dimorphism in exercise fat oxidation and adipokines levels may explain a lower risk of cardio-metabolic disorders in women. Therefore, we investigated the role of sex in the relationship between adipokines levels, maximal fat oxidation (MFO) during exercise and insulin resistance. MethodsFifty young adults with excess adiposity (31 women; body fat: 38.7 ± 5.3%) were included in this study. The fasting levels of leptin, adiponectin, glucose and insulin were determined from blood samples and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) subsequently calculated. Body fat percentage and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were assessed through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry whereas MFO was estimated during an incremental-load exercise test after an overnight fasting through indirect calorimetry. ResultsMen had lower levels of body fat (d = 1.80), adiponectin (d = 1.35), leptin (d = 0.43) and MFO (d = 1.25) than women. Conversely, men showed higher VAT (d = 0.85) and fasting glucose levels (d = 0.89). No sex differences were observed in HOMA-IR (d = 0.34). Adipokines levels were not associated with MFO in both sexes (r < 0.30), whereas adiponectin levels were inversely related with HOMA-IR in both men (r = −0.58) and women (r = −0.50). Leptin concentration was associated to HOMA-IR only in men (r = 0.41), while no statistically significant relationships were observed between MFO and HOMA-IR in both sexes (r < 0.44). ConclusionInsulin resistance was similar between sexes regardless of superior levels of adipokines and MFO during exercise in women. Therefore, adiponectin and leptin may regulate glucose homeostasis without altering whole body fat oxidation rate during exercise.

Phenotypic variance partitioning by transcriptomic gene expression levels and environmental variables for anthropometric traits using GTEx data.

Phenotypic variation in human is the results of genetic variation and environmental influences. Understanding the contribution of genetic and environmental components to phenotypic variation is of great interest. The variance explained by genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) typically represents a small proportion of the phenotypic variance for complex traits, which may be because the genome is only a part of the whole biological process to shape the phenotypes. In this study, we propose to partition the phenotypic variance of three anthropometric traits, using gene expression levels and environmental variables from GTEx data. We use the gene expression of four tissues that are deemed relevant for the anthropometric traits (two adipose tissues, skeletal muscle tissue and blood tissue). Additionally, we estimate the transcriptome-environment correlation that partly underlies the phenotypes of the anthropometric traits. We found that genetic factors play a significant role in determining body mass index (BMI), with the proportion of phenotypic variance explained by gene expression levels of visceral adipose tissue being 0.68 (SE = 0.06). However, we also observed that environmental factors such as age, sex, ancestry, smoking status, and drinking alcohol status have a small but significant impact (0.005, SE = 0.001). Interestingly, we found a significant negative correlation between the transcriptomic and environmental effects on BMI (transcriptome-environment correlation = -0.54, SE = 0.14), suggesting an antagonistic relationship. This implies that individuals with lower genetic profiles may be more susceptible to the effects of environmental factors on BMI, whilethose with higher genetic profiles may be less susceptible. We also show that the estimated transcriptomic variance varies across tissues, e.g., the gene expression levels of whole blood tissue and environmental variables explain a lower proportion of BMI phenotypic variance (0.16, SE = 0.05 and 0.04, SE = 0.004 respectively). We observed a significant positive correlation between transcriptomic and environmental effects (1.21, SE = 0.23) for this tissue. In conclusion, phenotypic variance partitioning can be done using gene expression and environmental data even with a small sample size (n = 838 from GTEx data), which can provide insights into how the transcriptomic and environmental effects contribute to the phenotypes of the anthropometric traits.

Abstract P121: Varying Determinants of Endothelial Dysfunction by Age Group Among Mexican Americans

Endothelial dysfunction assessed by impaired brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is a predictive factor of incident CVD. Most studies included small proportions of Hispanics or Latinos. We aimed to assess determinants of impaired FMD in a large population-based sample of asymptomatic Mexican-Americans. Methods: Cardiometabolic biomarkers, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and FMD were obtained from 960 participants (57.9% females, mean age 52.1±0.9 years, age 18-85 years) from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort. Sex-specific median values of %FMD were used to divide participants into two groups: those with FMD below (low %FMD) and above the median (high %FMD). The sample was further stratified into younger (age&lt;55 years) and older (age ≥ 55 years) age groups. Survey-weighted logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the effects of factors on the %FMD groups. Results: There was a high prevalence of obesity (49.1%), hypertension (47.8%), diabetes (26.1%), hypercholesterolemia (46.7%), and metabolic syndrome (38.2%). The median FMD response was 4.2%±0.3% [3.8% (SE 0.4) in males and 4.5% (SE 0.4) in females]. Low %FMD group was significantly older, had higher VAT, SBP, or plasma glucose levels, and had metabolic syndrome compared to those in the high %FMD group. Multivariable-adjusted age-stratified logistic regression analyses showed that among older participants, male gender [OR =2.4 (1.4-4.2)] and having hypertension [OR=2.3 (1.3-4.3)] or pre-diabetes [OR=3.4 (1.5-7.5)] remained significantly associated with odds of low %FMD. Among younger participants, only high LDL [OR=2.8 (1.6-4.9)] or having metabolic syndrome [OR=1.9 (1.1-3.6)] were significantly associated with odds of low %FMD. Conclusion: We found age-dependent associations between cardiometabolic biomarkers and an FMD response below the gender-specific median in a population composed of Mexican-Americans without prior CVD. Targeting specific risk factors by age may mitigate progression to incident CVD in this high-risk group.

Sex-Specific Computed Tomography Abdominal Fat and Skeletal Muscle Characteristics in Type 2 Diabetic Retinopathy Patients With/Without Comorbid Diabetic Kidney Disease

To investigate differences in sex-specific computed tomography abdominal fat and skeletal muscle (SM) characteristics between type 2 diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients with and without diabetic kidney disease (DKD). This retrospective study included type 2 diabetes mellitus DR patients with/without DKD between January 2019 and July 2021. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue, perirenal adipose tissue (PAT), intramuscular adipose tissue, and SM areas were measured. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze risk factors for DKD. Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were used to clarify the association between computed tomography abdominal fat, SM characteristics, and cystatin C. Two hundred and forty-one patients were enrolled and divided into DR with DKD group (n=142) and DR without DKD group (n=99). In men, hypertension (OR: 5.21; 95%CI: 1.93-14.05; p=0.001), diastolic pressure (OR: 1.07; 95%CI: 1.01-1.12; p=0.011), hemoglobin (OR: 0.94; 95%CI: 0.92-0.97; p < 0.001) and PAT attenuation value (OR: 1.09; 95%CI: 1.01-1.17; p=0.026) were independent risk factors for DKD progression in DR patients, while the VAT index (VATI) (OR: 1.03; 95%CI: 1.01-1.05; p=0.014) was an independent risk factor for female patients. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed significant correlations between hypertension (β=0.22, p=0.002) and hemoglobin (β=-0.53, p < 0.001) with cystatin C in men, and a significant correlation between VATI and cystatin C (β=0.35, p=0.037) in women after adjustment for confounders. Female DR patients with elevated VAT level may suffer from a higher risk of DKD than that in male patients.

Evaluation of ultrasonographic approaches aimed at determining distinct abdominal adipose tissue depots.

To analyze different anatomical sites in the abdominal region, in order to determine the positional parameter that identifies a higher level of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and confers a greater cardiometabolic risk. This is a methodological study in which VAT was evaluated by ultrasonography (USG) in three anatomical sites in the abdomen, while the abdominal circumference (AC) was measured using seven different protocols. Additionally, the glycemic and lipid profile, C-reactive protein, and the presence of systemic arterial hypertension were evaluated. One hundred and six individuals with an average age of 42 (36.8-46.2) years were included. The evaluation of the calibration of the ultrasound procedure for the analysis of VAT by intra- and inter-evaluators showed high reproducibility. The pattern of abdominal fat distribution differed between sexes, with higher mean VAT in males (p < 0.05) and higher mean SAT (subcutaneous adipose tissue) in females (p < 0.005). In the abdominal scan applied to women, higher levels of VAT and lower levels of SAT were observed in the narrower waist region, between the iliac crest and the last rib (p < 0.001). In males, the profile of adipose disposition along the abdomen was uniform (p > 0.05). Correlations between VAT measured by USG and cardiometabolic parameters were relatively stronger in the upper abdomen (p < 0.05). Women accumulate more VAT in the narrower waist region, while men accumulate VAT uniformly across the abdomen. There was relative superiority in predicting cardiometabolic risk in the upper abdomen for both sexes.

Effects of visceral adipose tissue on anti-tumour necrosis factor-α in Crohn's disease.

It remains unclear whether visceral adipose tissue (VAT) can predict the response of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) to anti-tumour necrosis factor-α (anti-TNF-α) therapy. This study aimed to investigate whether VAT predicts the efficacy of infliximab (IFX) for different sites of CD and its relationship with serum TNF-α levels and IFX serum trough concentration. This is a multicentre retrospective study. Patients with CD treated with IFX from January 2014 to January 2021 were included. The perimeter of the visceral adipose area was obtained by a Computed Tomography (CT) scan. Participants were classified according to the lesion site (L1, L2, and L3) and visceral fat area. The participants were divided into colon-uninvolved non-visceral obesity (L1-VATL), colon-uninvolved visceral obesity (L1-VATH), colon-involved non-visceral obesity (L2 + L3-VATL), and colon involved visceral obesity (L2 + L3-VATH) groups. The end points of this study were set as disease remission status at 6 and 12 months. The final cohort included 140 patients. Regarding efficacy at 6 and 12 months, there was a significant difference between L1-VATL (73.8% versus 36.8%, p = 0.006) and L1-VATH (81.0% versus 47.4%, p = 0.008) groups. In the analysis of serum TNF-α levels and IFX serum trough concentrations, there was a significant difference between L1-VATL and L1-VATH (59.5 pg/mL versus 236.0 pg/mL, pTNF-α = 0.006), (10.0 μg/mL versus 0.4 μg/mL, pIFX = 0.000), and L1-VATH and L2 + L3-VATH (78.7 pg/mL versus 118.6 pg/mL, pTNF-α = 0.031), (0.4 μg/mL versus 6.40 μg/mL, pIFX = 0.017). In L1 patients, the VAT level predicted the efficacy of IFX, with high VAT values indicating poor efficacy. The VAT level may be a useful radiological marker to predict the efficacy of IFX in patients with various types of CD.