Visceral Fat Accumulation Research Articles

Beyond the Scale: Exploring the Endocannabinoid System's Impact on Obesity.

This review explores the role of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in regulating energy balance, food intake, and metabolism, with a focus on how ECS dysregulation contributes to obesity. The goal is to provide insights into the mechanisms underlying obesity and its associated metabolic disorders. Recent research indicates that the ECS significantly influences food intake, fat storage, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation, all of which are central to the development and progression of obesity. New research areas include the interaction between the ECS and gut microbiota, circadian rhythms of the ECS, and the impact of genetic and epigenetic factors on ECS function. Interest in the therapeutic potential of targeting the ECS has grown, with earlier treatments like CB1 receptor antagonists showing mixed results in efficacy and safety. Evidence from both animal and human studies highlight the impact of elevated levels of the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-AG on food intake, insulin resistance, visceral fat accumulation, and metabolic disturbances associated with obesity. The review explores the interaction between the ECS and other physiological systems, including gut-brain communication, circadian rhythms, as well as leptin and ghrelin signaling. Additionally, genetic and epigenetic factors influencing ECS function are examined, emphasizing their contribution to obesity susceptibility. While therapeutic approaches targeting the ECS, particularly CB1 receptor antagonism, have shown potential in managing obesity, the review acknowledges the challenges posed by central nervous system side effects in earlier treatments like rimonabant. However, recent advancements in peripherally restricted CB1 antagonists offer renewed hope for safer and more effective obesity treatments. The review concludes by addressing future research directions and therapeutic strategies to combat this global health challenge.

BCAA was more closely associated with visceral fat area than subcutaneous fat area in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundBranched-chain amino acid (BCAA) has been reported to be associated with obesity, the association of BCAA with visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) remained unclear in patients with type 2 diabetes.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in 284 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Enzyme-linked immunospecific assay was used to measure levels of serum BCAA and branched-chain keto acid (BCKA). VFA and SFA were measured with bio-impedance analysis method. The association between BCAA and VFA was calculated using Pearson correlation and multivariable linear regression analysis.ResultsThere were significant differences in the means of body mass index, waist circumstance, SFA and VFA among the three groups divided by total BCAA tertiles (all p < 0.05). Compared to patients with lower levels of serum BCAA (the lower tertile group), the means of VFA and SFA were significantly larger in the middle and upper tertile groups (all p < 0.05). However, the differences in above obesity parameters were nonsignificant according to various BCKA tertiles. Pearson correlation analysis also demonstrated that BCAA levels were positive associated with each obesity parameter (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, multivariable linear regression analysis showed that levels of serum BCAA were correlated with VFA, BMI and WC (all p < 0.05) rather than SFA after adjusted for other confounders.Conclusionslevels of serum BCAA were more closely correlated with VFA than SFA, prospective studies should be warranted to further explore the mechanism mediating BCAA and visceral fat accumulation in Human beings.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.

Gut microbiota and metabolomics unveil the mechanisms of Lomatogonium rotatum in ameliorating visceral fat and serum lipids in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Lomatogonium rotatum (LR) is a folk medicinal herb traditionally used as a lipid-lowering and anti-obesity agent; but its pharmacological mechanism is unclear. In this study, we assessed the alterations of LR on gut microbes and serum metabolites in obese mice and their associated mechanisms of modulation on visceral fat and serum lipid by integrating gut microbiota and metabolomics analyses. Mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to generate obesity and were then given LR and Orlistat orally at different doses (0.18, 0.9, 1.8 g/kg for LR and 0.048 g/kg for Orlistat) for a duration of 9 weeks. The impact of LR on weight loss was assessed through the examination of fat deposition, serum lipid indices, liver indices, and HE pathohistology. The effects of LR on gut microbiota and serum metabolites in obese mice were then investigated by 16S rRNA sequencing technology and untargeted metabolomics, and correlation analysis was performed. LR significantly reduced body weight, feed intake, Lee’s index, visceral fat accumulation, serum TG, TC, AST and ALT, and elevated serum HDL levels in obese mice. In addition, 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that the LR intervention remodeled microbial diversity and composition, increased the relative abundance of gut microbes Bacteroidetes and Porphyromonadaceae in HFD-induced obese mice, and decreased the Deferribacteres, Firmicutes and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Correlation analyses showed that LR regulation of L-tyrosine and hesperetin metabolism, as well as alterations in the metabolic pathways of Phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, were associated with the changes in abundance of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Porphyromonadaceae and Deferribacteres. Our study demonstrated that LR has lipid lowering and visceral fat reduction effects and its function may be closely related to the improvement of the gut microbiota and its associated metabolites.

Use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for body composition in chronic disease management

As individuals age or contend with chronic diseases, shifts in body composition often emerge, characterized by a loss of muscle mass and an increase in fat mass, even among those with stable body weight. Both obesity and sarcopenia are key drivers of frailty, disability, and heightened morbidity and mortality. The simultaneous decline in skeletal muscle and accumulation of visceral fat can work synergistically, magnifying their detrimental effects on physical function and metabolic health. Today, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is widely recognized as one of the most versatile imaging techniques for assessing not only osteoporosis but also sarcopenia and obesity. Whole-body DEXA facilitates comprehensive analysis, offering detailed insights into fat mass, non-bone lean mass, and bone mineral content at both total and regional levels. DEXA is highly valued for its accuracy, reproducibility, speed, affordability, and low radiation exposure. Furthermore, advancements in DEXA technology and software now allow for precise estimation of visceral adipose tissue. This review underscores the clinical applications of whole-body DEXA, focusing on the use of muscle and fat mass indices in diagnosing low muscle mass, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity, aligned with the latest research and guidelines.

Study on the Function of Leptin Nutrient Acquisition and Energy Metabolism of Zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Leptin plays an indispensable role in energy homeostasis, and its involvement in metabolic activities has been extensively explored in fish. We generated mutant lines of leptina (-5 bp) and leptinb (+8 bp) in zebrafish using CRISPR/Cas9 technology to explore the metabolic characteristics of lepa and lepb mutant zebrafish in response to high glucose nutritional stress induced by high levels of carbohydrates. The results were as follows: the body weight and food intake of adult zebrafish of the two mutant species were increased; the visceral fat accumulation, whole-body crude lipid, and crude protein contents of lepb-/- were increased; and the visceral fat accumulation and crude lipid in lepa-/- zebrafish were decreased. The blood glucose levels of the two mutant zebrafish were increased, the mRNA expression levels of glycolytic genes pk and gck were decreased in the two mutant zebrafish, and there were differences between lepa-/- and lepb-/- zebrafish. The expressions of glycogen synthesis and decomposition genes were inhibited and promoted, respectively. The expression of adipose synthesis genes in the liver and muscle was stimulated in lepb-/- zebrafish but suppressed in lepa-/- zebrafish. Lipolysis and oxidation genes were also stimulated in lepa-/- zebrafish livers, while the livers of lepb-/- zebrafish were stimulated but muscle was inhibited. In conclusion, the results indicate that lepa plays a major role in glucose metabolism, which is conducive to promoting glucose utilization and lipogenesis, while lepb mainly promotes lipolysis and oxidation, regulates protein generation, and plays a minor role in glucose metabolism.

A multidimensional analysis of the impact of obesity on immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy efficacy

BackgroundObesity is a well-known risk factor for developing malignant tumors and promoting tumor cell growth and spread. However, recent studies have shown that obese cancer patients, who typically have a worse prognosis than nonobese cancer patients, show a significant improvement in survival after receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. This phenomenon is known as the “obesity paradox”. However, this phenomenon is influenced by tumor type and sex. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the impact of obesity on immunotherapy efficacy from multiple perspectives, aiming to verify this paradox and provide new scientific evidence on the effect of obesity on ICI efficacy.MethodsThis retrospective study evaluated the data of patients who received ICI therapy between June 2019 and August 2023. Automatic segmentation of skeletal muscle, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat was performed using Slice-O-Matic software, and the corresponding skeletal muscle index (SMI), subcutaneous fat index (SFI) and visceral fat index (VFI) were calculated. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was determined by dividing the neutrophil count by the lymphocyte count. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the correlation between body mass index (BMI), body composition parameters, and the NLR with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in obese patients receiving ICI therapy.ResultsWe analyzed 219 patients with a median age of 60 years (IQR 53–69 years; 155 men and 64 women). Obese patients, particularly those with visceral fat accumulation, exhibited extended OS after ICI therapy (log­rank P = 0.027). Cox multivariate analysis revealed that the NLR (HR = 1.036; 95% CI: 0.996 to 1.078; P = 0.002) was independently associated with OS. Patients with a high NLR had worse OS than those with a low NLR.ConclusionsThis study corroborates the veracity of the "obesity paradox" under specific conditions and identifies NLR as an independent prognostic factor, with elevated NLR indicative of a poor prognosis.

Unstressing the Reticulum: Nutritional Strategies for Modulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Obesity.

The progression of obesity involves several molecular mechanisms that are closely associated with the pathophysiological response of the disease. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is one such factor. Lipotoxicity disrupts endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis in the context of obesity. Furthermore, it induces ER stress by activating several signaling pathways via inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. ER performs crucial functions in protein synthesis and lipid metabolism; thus, triggers such as lipotoxicity can promote the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the organelle. The accumulation of these proteins can lead to metabolic disorders and chronic inflammation, resulting in cell death. Thus, alternatives, such as flavonoids, amino acids, and polyphenols that are associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses have been proposed to attenuate this response by modulating ER stress via the administration of nutrients and bioactive compounds. Decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress can reduce the expression of several ER stress markers and improve clinical outcomes through the management of obesity, including the control of body weight, visceral fat, and lipid accumulation. This review explores the metabolic changes resulting from ER stress and discusses the role of nutritional interventions in modulating the ER stress pathway in obesity.

Association between visceral adiposity index and cancer risk in the UK Biobank cohort.

The visceral adiposity index (VAI) is a marker of visceral fat accumulation and metabolic dysfunction, but there is limited evidence of its association with cancer. The objective of this study was to investigate associations between the VAI and both incident cancer at 23 sites and all-cause cancer. In total, 385,477 participants (53.3% women; mean age, 56.3 years) from the UK Biobank prospective cohort were included in this study. The median follow-up was 8.2 years (interquartile range, 7.3-8.9 years). The VAI was calculated using formula the published by Amato etal. and was categorized into sex-specific tertiles. Twenty-four incident cancers were the outcomes. Cox proportional hazard models were adjusted for sociodemographics, lifestyle factors, and multimorbidity counts. Over the follow-up period, 47,882 individuals developed cancer. In the fully adjusted models, the VAI was associated with a higher risk of six cancer sites. Individuals in the highest tertile, compared with those in the lowest tertile, had higher risks of uterine (hazard ratio [HR], 2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.76-2.49), gallbladder (HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.26-2.66), kidney (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.18-1.64), liver (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.00-1.56), colorectal (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.05-1.24), and breast (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.03-1.19) cancers and of all-cause cancer (HR, 1.05). There was no evidence of a nonlinear association between the VAI and cancer risk. The VAI was associated with six cancer sites and with all-cause cancer. The prognostic and etiologic roles of visceral fat accumulation and dysfunction in cancer warrant further research.

Evaluating the impact of artificial intelligence-based assessment of body composition on primary artificial urinary sphincter placement outcomes.

Sarcopenia, characterized by low muscle mass, and aberrant adiposity changes, including visceral fat accumulation, has been associated with impaired physiologic stress response and wound healing. Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement is the preferred surgical treatment for men with severe post-prostatectomy incontinence. Given the higher rates of maladaptive body composition changes in this older, high comorbidity population, this study explores their impact on AUS outcomes. A retrospective analysis was performed including men who underwent primary AUS placement at the Mayo Clinic from 1999 to 2023 for post-prostatectomy incontinence and had cross sectional imaging available within 12 months prior to AUS implant. Sarcopenia and body composition were assessed from the available computed tomography (CT) scan using an algorithm that measures the area of different tissues at the L3 abdominal cross-section. The study investigated the association between sarcopenia [defined as skeletal muscle index (SMI) <52.4 cm2/m2] and adiposity (defined by total visceral and subcutaneous fat area) with all-cause reoperation, including specific etiologies of device infection/erosion, urethral atrophy, and device malfunction, using Cox proportional hazards models. There were 111 patients who had available imaging within the study timeframe, 61 (55%) of whom were classified as sarcopenic. Follow-up did not differ significantly between the two groups [2.11 (0.53-4.78) vs. 2.52 (0.36-5.80) years, P=0.52]. Sarcopenic patients had a lower body mass index (BMI) (29.1 vs. 32.7 kg/m2; P<0.001). No significant difference in overall device survival was observed between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients (P=0.94) on Cox survival analysis. Sarcopenic patients had higher device infection rates, accounting for 16.7% (3/18) of device failures in the sarcopenic cohort compared to none in the non-sarcopenic cohort. Sarcopenia was prevalent among AUS patients but did not significantly impact overall device survival. These findings suggest that AUS placement may be feasible to perform in well-selected sarcopenic patients.

Physical inactivity and breakfast skipping caused visceral fat accumulation in rats.

Physical inactivity as well as breakfast skipping is known as risk factor for various metabolic diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. We have previously reported that a breakfast skipping model, in which the timing of feeding is delayed, induces abnormal lipid metabolism by altering the circadian rhythm of lipid metabolism-related genes in rats. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the synergistic effect of physical inactivity and breakfast skipping on lipid metabolism. We adopted sciatic neurectomized rats as physically inactive models, because we confirmed that the rats mildly decreased their spontaneous locomotor activity compared to sham-operated rats. And then the physically inactive model rats were fed a mild high-fat diet during zeitgeber time (ZT) 12-0 in the control group and ZT16-0 in the breakfast skipping group for 11days. Body weight gain and total food intake were similar in both groups. Breakfast skipping induced a significant visceral fat accumulation, which was not observed in our previous breakfast skipping or physically inactive studies. The mRNA levels of clock and lipogenesis-related genes were altered by breakfast skipping in the liver and epididymal adipose tissue, and serum insulin level was altered by breakfast skipping. These results suggest that physical inactivity and breakfast skipping synergistically induces drastic visceral fat accumulation due to the alteration of circadian clock and lipid metabolism in the liver and adipose tissue. Therefore, regular feeding timing plays an important role in the health of a sedentary modern society.

Chronic whole-body heat treatment in obese insulin-resistant C57BL/6J mice

Aim This study examined the effects of hyperthermic therapy (HT) on mice fed normal chow or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 18 or 22 weeks, undergoing four or eight weekly HT sessions. Methods Mice were housed within their thermoneutral zone (TNZ) to simulate a physiological response. HFD-induced obesity-related changes, including weight gain, visceral fat accumulation, muscle loss (indicative of obesity sarcopenia), glucose intolerance, and hepatic triglyceride buildup. Main Results HT upregulated HSP70 expression in muscles, mitigated weight gain, normalised QUICK index, and reduced plasma HSP70 concentrations. It also lowered the H-index of HSP70 balance, indicating improved immunoinflammatory status, and decreased activated caspase-1 and proliferative senescence in adipose tissue, both linked to insulin resistance. Conclusion The findings suggest that even animals on a “control” diet but with insufficient physical activity and within their TNZ may experience impaired glycaemic homeostasis.

Dual-Energy Computed Tomography-Guided Assessment of Visceral Adiposity and Its Correlation With Lipid Function Test: A Retrospective Study.

Introduction Obesity, a prevalent global health concern, is associated with various chronic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome. Visceral adiposity, the accumulation of fat around internal organs, has a more significant impact on metabolic health compared to subcutaneous fat. Accurate assessment of visceral fat is critical for predicting metabolic risks. Dual-Energy Computed Tomography (DECT) is emerging as an effective tool for quantifying visceral adiposity, allowing for enhanced tissue differentiation. This study aims to assess visceral adiposity using DECT and explore its correlation with lipid function tests, including cholesterol and triglyceride levels, in a cohort of patients. Materials and methods This retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Radiology at Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Chennai. Data from 100 patientsaged 25 to 75 years with a BMI of 25 kg/m² or higher, were analyzed. DECT scans were performed using a Siemens SOMATOM go.Top 128-slice CT scanner (Siemens, Munich) to quantify visceral fat, particularly mesenteric fat. Lipid function tests were conducted to measure total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between visceral fat volume and lipid profile components. Results The study found significant correlations between visceral adiposity and lipid profile components. Total Visceral Fat Area (VFA) volume positively correlated with total cholesterol (r = 0.65, p < 0.01), LDL cholesterol (r = 0.58, p < 0.01), and triglycerides (r = 0.52, p < 0.05). An inverse relationship was observed between VFA volume and HDL cholesterol (r = -0.48, p < 0.05). Regression analysis confirmed that VFA volume is an independent predictor of these lipid levels after adjusting for age, gender, and BMI. The study also reported the prevalence of hepatomegaly in 11 (36.6%) cases and fatty liver in nine (30%) cases in the study population, underscoring the metabolic implications of visceral fat accumulation. Conclusion This study highlights the significant role of visceral adiposity in influencing lipid metabolism and associated cardiovascular risks. DECT proved to be a precise and reliable tool for assessing visceral fat and its metabolic implications. The findings suggest that increased visceral fat is associated with adverse lipid profiles, contributing to a higher risk of metabolic disorders. These results emphasize the need for incorporating advanced imaging techniques like DECT in clinical practice for better risk stratification and personalized treatment strategies in patients with obesity and related metabolic conditions.

Association of waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index with cognitive impairment in middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundNumerous reports indicate that both obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are factors associated with cognitive impairment (CI). The objective was to assess the relationship between abdominal obesity as measured by waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (WHRadjBMI) and CI in middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted, in which a total of 1154 patients with T2DM aged ≥ 40 years were included. WHRadjBMI was calculated based on anthropometric measurements and CI was assessed utilizing the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Participants were divided into CI group (n = 509) and normal cognition group (n = 645). Correlation analysis and binary logistic regression were used to explore the relationship between obesity-related indicators including WHRadjBMI, BMI as well as waist circumference (WC) and CI. Meanwhile, the predictive power of these indicators for CI was estimated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.ResultsWHRadjBMI was positively correlated with MoCA scores, independent of sex. The Area Under the Curve (AUC) for WHRadjBMI, BMI and WC were 0.639, 0.521 and 0.533 respectively, and WHRadjBMI had the highest predictive power for CI. Whether or not covariates were adjusted, one-SD increase in WHRadjBMI was significantly related to an increased risk of CI with an adjusted OR of 1.451 (95% CI: 1.261–1.671). After multivariate adjustment, the risk of CI increased with rising WHRadjBMI quartiles (Q4 vs. Q1 OR: 2.980, 95%CI: 2.032–4.371, P for trend < 0.001).ConclusionsOur study illustrated that higher WHRadjBMI is likely to be associated with an increased risk of CI among patients with T2DM. These findings support the detrimental effects of excess visceral fat accumulation on cognitive function in middle-aged and elderly T2DM patients.

Visceral Fat Increases Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients

The aim of this study is to discuss the increase in risk for obesity-related disorders. It is believed that such complications arise due to store of visceral fat. The visceral fat is considered as an independent predictor of all-cause of mortality among type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. Higher visceral fat is associated with an adverse lipid and glucose profile. Accumulation of visceral fat is located inside the abdominal cavity and surrounds internal organs, such as in the liver, stomach, kidneys, pancreas, intestines, and heart. Store of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is characterized as pro-inflammatory, metabolically active, and susceptible to lipolysis. This study tries to present briefly the harmful activities of visceral fat in human body.

Epicardial adipose tissue and muscle distribution affect outcomes in very old patients after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

To analyse the relevance of body composition and blood markers for long-term outcomes in very old patients after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). A total of 403 very old patients were characterized with regard to subcutaneous, visceral, and epicardial fat, psoas muscle area, plasma growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), and leptin. Cohorts grouped by body mass index (BMI) were analysed for long-term outcomes. Patients underwent transapical and transfemoral TAVR (similar 30-day/1-year survival). Body mass index >35 kg/m2 showed increased 2- and 3-year mortality compared with BMI 25-34.9 kg/m2 but not compared with BMI <25 kg/m2. Fat areas correlated positively to BMI (epicardial: R 2 = 0.05, P < 0.01; visceral: R 2 = 0.20, P < 0.001; subcutaneous: R 2 = 0.13, P < 0.001). Increased epicardial or visceral but not subcutaneous fat area resulted in higher long-term mortality. Patients with high BMI (1781.3 mm2 ± 75.8, P < 0.05) and lean patients (1729.4 ± 52.8, P < 0.01) showed lower psoas muscle area compared with those with mildly elevated BMI (2055.2 ± 91.7). Reduced psoas muscle area and increased visceral fat and epicardial fat areas were independent predictors of long-term mortality. The levels of serum GDF-15 were the highest in BMI >40 kg/m2 (2793.5 pg/mL ± 123.2) vs. BMI <25 kg/m2 (2017.6 pg/mL ±130.8), BMI 25-30 kg/m2 (1881.8 pg/mL ±127.4), or BMI 30-35 kg/m2 (2054.2 pg/mL ±124.1, all P < 0.05). Increased GDF-15 level predicted mortality (2587 pg/mL, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.94). Serum leptin level increased with BMI without predictive value for long-term mortality. Morbidly visceral and epicardial fat accumulation, reduction in muscle area, and GDF-15 increase are strong predictors of adverse outcomes in very old patients post-TAVR.

Improper dietary protein to carbohydrate ratio causes abnormal visceral fat deposition, hampering gonadal development and breeding performance in Labeo Catla female

The availability of balanced diet is critical for reproductive success in fish. A feeding trial on Labeo catla females was carried out in earthen pond to assess the effect of different dietary protein to carbohydrate ratio on gonad maturation and breeding performance. Three feed D-I (Feed-I), D-II (Feed-II) and D-III (Feed-III) were formulated with varying ratio of Ground Nut Oil Cake (GNOC) and rice bran (2:1, 1:1 and 1:2) and fed for 120 days. To assess the gonad maturation events, GSI VSI, breeding, fatty acid analysis, sex hormone profiling, cholesterol, triglyceride and histological examinations were conducted. Fish groups fed with D-III exhibited the highest VSI and visceral fat (VF) deposition, followed by those fed with D-I, whereas groups fed with D-II showed significantly lower levels (P<0.05). The result of GSI was completely opposite to values of VSI. Ovarian histology showed less number of mature oocytes in D-I & D-III treatments and more mature oocytes in D-II. Breeding results showed that fishes fed with D-I and D-III hampered gonad maturation whereas fish fed with D-II responded towards spawning, fertilization, and hatching. Increased levels of testosterone, estradiol, and vitellogenin (Vtg) were observed in the D-II fed group whereas increased level of progesterone was observed in D-I fed group followed by D-II and D-III. Serum cholesterol was higher in the D-III and D-I group. Visceral fat accumulation prior to ovarian maturation is a normal phenomenon in this species which serves as a lipid reservoir required for the later transfer to the gonad as yolk or is utilized as an energy source for gonad maturation. However higher level of protein or carbohydrate in the diet disrupted normal gonad maturation and lead to abnormal visceral fat accumulation, sex steroid level, failure in spawning response and seed production.

Coexistence of high visceral fat area and sarcopenia is associated with atherosclerotic markers in old-old patients with diabetes: A cross-sectional study.

To investigate whether sarcopenic obesity is associated with the progression of atherosclerotic lesions in older patients with diabetes and to identify the obesity components of sarcopenic obesity that best reflect atherosclerosis. In 118 inpatients aged ≥75 years with diabetes mellitus, sarcopenia defined as a low skeletal muscle mass and low grip strength was assessed, and sarcopenia coexisting with a high body-fat percentage or visceral fat area was defined as sarcopenic obesity. Correlations between the obesity components and atherosclerotic markers, including the carotid intima-media thickness, were analyzed; the intima-media thickness was analyzed in four groups with and without obesity and sarcopenia, and a multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for covariates was conducted to investigate whether sarcopenic obesity was independently associated with the intima-media thickness. The visceral fat area and intima-media thickness showed positive correlations in the overall patients (P = 0.032) and the sarcopenia (P = 0.016) group but showed no associations in participants without sarcopenia. The intima-media thickness in the group showing sarcopenia with a high visceral fat area was significantly higher than that in the control group (P = 0.012). Sarcopenic obesity defined by a high body-fat percentage and high visceral fat area was independently associated with the intima-media thickness even after adjusting for age, sex, and atherogenic risk factors. However, sarcopenic obesity defined by a high visceral fat area was more strongly associated with the intima-media thickness (β = 0.384, P = 0.002) than that defined by the high body-fat percentage (β = 0.237, P = 0.068). Sarcopenic obesity, especially that defined by visceral fat accumulation, reflected the risk of atherosclerotic lesion progression in older patients with diabetes.

Epicardial adipose tissue volume highly correlates with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in endogenous Cushing’s syndrome

Background Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is associated with increased risk for heart failure, which often initially manifests as left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). In this study, we aimed to explore the potential risk factors of LVDD in CS by incorporating body composition parameters. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with endogenous CS no less than 18 years old. The control group consisted of healthy individuals who were matched to CS patients in terms of gender, age, and BMI. LIFEx software (version 7.3) was applied to measure epicardial adipose tissue volume (EATV) on non-contrast chest CT, as well as abdominal adipose tissue and skeletal muscle mass at the first lumbar vertebral level. Echocardiography was used to evaluate left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. Body compositions and clinical data were examined in relation to early LVDD. Results A total of 86 CS patients and 86 healthy controls were enrolled. EATV was significantly higher in CS patients compared to control subjects (150.33 cm3 [125.67, 189.41] vs 90.55 cm3 [66.80, 119.84], p < 0.001). CS patients had noticeably increased visceral fat but decreased skeletal muscle in comparison to their healthy counterparts. Higher prevalence of LVDD was found in CS patients based on LV diastolic function evaluated by E/A ratio (p < 0.001). EATV was proved to be an independent risk factor for LVDD in CS patients (OR = 1.015, 95%CI 1.003–1.026, p = 0.011). If the cut-point of EATV was set as 139.252 cm3 in CS patients, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of LVDD were 84.00% and 55.60%, respectively. Conclusion CS was associated with marked accumulation of EAT and visceral fat, reduced skeletal muscle mass, and increased prevalence of LVDD. EATV was an independent risk factor for LVDD, suggesting the potential role of EAT in the development of LVDD in CS.

Sex difference in the association of dietary fiber intake with visceral fat volume in Japanese adults.

Dietary fiber is a possible nutritional component which aids in the prevention of visceral fat accumulation. We examined the association between dietary fiber intake and visceral fat volume (VFV) by sex, and further analysed the association by major food sources of dietary fiber. In this cross-sectional study, we measured VFV in 2779 Japanese (1564 men and 1215 women) aged 40-89 who underwent positron emission tomography/computed tomography for cancer screening between 2004 and 2005. Dietary fiber intake was calculated based on a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The association between dietary fiber intake and VFV was investigated using multivariate linear regression models after adjustment for potential confounders. Total, soluble, and insoluble fiber intakes were inversely associated with VFV in men (Q1: 3740 cm3, Q4: 3517 cm3, Ptrend: 0.0006 for total fiber), but not in women (Q1: 2207 cm3, Q4: 2193 cm3,Ptrend: 0.88 for total fiber). Statistically significant sex difference was observed (Pinteraction = 0.001 for total fiber). Subgroup analyses by major food sources revealed that dietary fiber intakes from beans, vegetables and fruits showed an inverse association with VFV in men, while cereal fiber intake showed a tendency toward a positive association in both sexes (Q1: 3520 cm3, Q4: 3671 cm3, Ptrend: 0.05 in men, Q1: 2147 cm3, Q4: 2227 cm3, Ptrend: 0.10 in women). We observed a sex-specific association between dietary fiber intake and VFV in Japanese adults. This study suggests that efforts against visceral fat accumulation should take account of the source of dietary fiber.

Correlation between Pancreatic Fat Deposition and Metabolic Syndrome: Relationships with Location in the Pancreas and Sex.

Objective To investigate the correlation between pancreatic fat deposition and metabolic syndrome (MetS) parameters, focusing on the locations of fat deposition in the pancreas and sex differences. Methods Degrees of fat deposition in the head, body, and tail of the pancreas were evaluated using computed tomography (CT). We examined the relationships between pancreatic fat deposition and the age, body mass index (BMI), visceral and subcutaneous fat, serum lipid profiles, hepatic steatosis, diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypertension (HTN). Results In this retrospective study, greater fat deposition was associated with a higher BMI, visceral and subcutaneous fat accumulation, and hepatic steatosis, with the pancreatic head showing the strongest correlation. Correlations of pancreatic fat deposition with the BMI and visceral and subcutaneous fat accumulation were stronger in females than in males, while correlations with hepatic steatosis were stronger in males than in females. In addition, a multivariate analysis did not suggest a direct causal relationship between pancreatic fat deposition and DM and HTN, but there was a significant correlation between pancreatic fat deposition in the pancreatic head and visceral fat area. Conclusion Pancreatic fat deposition, as evaluated by CT, especially in the part of the pancreatic head adjacent to the ampulla of Vater, is a sensitive indicator of MetS. The correlations between pancreatic fat deposition and MetS parameters tended to be stronger in females than in males. These results may help further elucidate the pathophysiology of MetS and provide opportunities for its diagnosis.