Visceral Fat Mass Research Articles

Angiotensin(1–7) attenuates visceral adipose tissue expansion and lipogenesis by suppression of endoplasmic reticulum stress via Mas receptor

BackgroundWhite adipose tissue can be classified based on its location as subcutaneous and visceral fat, and the latter accumulation is reported to be more detrimental to metabolism. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been demonstrated to regulate lipogenesis. The peptide angiotensin(1–7) [Ang(1–7)], which can be produced from angiotensin II (AngII) by angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), plays its role through Mas receptor, also participates in the regulation of lipid metabolism in adipose tissue, however, whether ER stress is involved in the mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to explore the role of Ang(1–7) pathway in regulating visceral adipose tissue expansion and ER stress.MethodsACE2 knockout (KO), Mas KO and C57BL/6 J mice were fed with high fat diet. Db/db mice were treated with either normal saline, Ang(1–7) or Ang(1–7) combined with Mas receptor inhibitor A779 using mini osmotic pumps. Fat mass was weighted, fat distribution was evaluated by MRI, and lipid profile and adipokines in epididymal adipose tissue were measured by ELISA kits, and histology of epididymal adipose tissue was also analyzed in multiple animal models. Additionally, differentiated 3T3-L1 cells were pre-loaded with palmitic acid to induce ER stress, then treated with drugs as those administrated to db/db mice. ER stress and lipogenesis related proteins in mice adipose and differentiated 3T3L-1 cells were analyzed by Western blot.ResultsACE2 or Mas KO mice exhibited increased visceral adipose tissue, adipocyte size and protein expression of lipogenesis and ER stress related markers in epididymal adipose tissue compared to wild-type mice. Db/db mice treated with Ang(1–7) displayed decreased visceral fat mass, adipocyte size and protein expression of lipogenesis and ER stress markers in epididymal adipose tissue compared to those treated with normal saline, while A779 partly attenuated these effects. Additionally, Ang(1–7) improved ER stress and lipogenesis markers in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells pre-loaded with palmitic acid.ConclusionsOur findings indicated that Ang(1–7) attenuated visceral adipose tissue expansion and lipogenesis by suppression of ER stress via Mas receptor. The present study provides a potential perspective for Ang(1–7) for the therapeutics of obesity and related disorders.

Potential Efficacy of Bacillus coagulans BACO-17 to Modulate Gut Microbiota in Rats Fed High-Fat Diet

This study aimed to evaluate the potential efficacy of Bacillus coagulans BACO-17 in ameliorating body fat accumulation as well as gut microbiota dysbiosis in animals, which were given a high-fat diet to mimic the adverse effect of an unhealthy dietary pattern. Compared with normal control, high-fat consumption resulted in significant (p < 0.05) elevations in weight gain (168%), feed efficiency (176%), visceral fat accumulation (228%), and a lesser total fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) (−27.5%). A significant shift of fecal Fimicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio from 1.13 to 3.14 was also observed. After 12 weeks of experiment, a supplementation of B. coagulans BACO-17 at high dose (9 log CFU/day) along with a high-fat diet could exert an apparent fat reduction ability by decreasing weight gain (by 23.7%) and visceral fat mass (by 24.0%). It was found that B. coagulans BACO-17 was able to increase fecal SCFA concentrations and revert Fimicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio back to the level comparable with the normal control. It could play a probiotic effect by increasing and decreasing the abundance of Muribaculaceae and Allobaculum, respectively. Therefore, a supplementation of adequate amount of B. coagulans BACO-17 might confer a concreted amelioration of deteriorated bacteria profiles and body fat accumulation due to high-fat consumption.

Effect of L-tryptophan on the bone biophysical properties and oxygen consumption in rats with diet-induced obesity

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of L-tryptophan on the biophysical properties of bone tissue and oxygen consumption in rats with diet-induced obesity. The study was conducted on 40 male 3-months- aged Wistar rats. The photometric determination of phosphorus and calcium concentration in the femoral bones was conducted. The rate of oxygen consumption was measured according to chronoamperograms. The biophysical properties of femurs were measured by a methodic three-point bending test. It was shown that the content of calcium (by 15%) and phosphorus (by 20%) was significantly higher in the femurs of rats that received L-tryptophan (at a dose of 80 mg/kg per os) for 28 days compared to the control parameters. The rate of oxygen consumption, density and biophysical properties of the femurs did not change. As a result of the consumption for three months of a high-calorie diet (580 kcal/100 g) in experimental rats clear features of obesity evolved. Thus, they had a greater visceral fat mass (by 145%), a visceral fat mass to body weight ratio (by 122%), and an obesity index (by 145%). In rats with alimentary obesity, the calcium and phosphorus content in the femurs was significantly reduced by 28 and 24%, respectively, and the rate of oxygen consumption was 45% lower than in control animals. Femur bearing capacity, strength limit, and stiffness were significantly lower, namely on 23, 11, and 37%, respectively. Administration of L-tryptophan to rats, against the background of consumption of a high-calorie diet, inhibited the development of obesity. Visceral fat mass and its ratio to body weight in this group of rats were 38 and 23% lower, respectively, compared to the obese group. The concentration of calcium (by 32%) and phosphorus (by 25%) and oxygen consumption rates (by 31%) were significantly greater compared to rats fed only the high-calorie diet. Our research shows that the administration of L-tryptophan to obese animals can prevent the development of negative changes in bone tissue.

Concurrent Exercise Training: Long-Term Changes in Body Composition and Motives for Continued Participation in Women with Obesity.

The purpose of this project was to examine the effect of a concurrent exercise program (sprint interval training and resistance exercise) on body composition in women with obesity and factors associated with continued exercise participation following the program. Twenty women (37.1 ± 7.4 y, height = 1.63 ± 0.09 m, weight = 98.22 ± 0.22 kg, BMI = 34.2 ± 2.50 kg/m2) participated in a 10-week exercise intervention consisting of a sprint interval treadmill protocol and resistance training three times a week totaling 30 sessions. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (iDXA) at pretest, 12 weeks, and six months post-intervention. Semi-structured interviews assessed participants' perception of the program at both 12 weeks and six months. Participants significantly reduced fat mass (p < 0.001), gynoid fat mass (p < 0.010), android fat mass (p = 0.003), and visceral fat mass (p = 0.003) at 12 weeks post-test. At six months, participants maintained their reductions in fat mass (p = 0.015), visceral fat (p = 0.040) and gynoid fat mass (p = 0.032). There were no significant main time effects in lean mass (p = 0.099) or caloric intake (p = 0.053) at 12 weeks or six months. Themes that emerged from the semi-structured interviews at 12 weeks reflected enjoyment in the training, increases in competence and knowledge, as well as apprehension of continuing training on their own. At six months, themes that emerged reflected overcoming barriers, competence regarding high-intensity training, and a lack of competence to engage in resistance training. Sprint interval training coupled with resistance training is a feasible exercise protocol for women with obesity and results in reduced fat mass over six months. Improving women's competence for training is imperative for continued participation.

Association of visceral adipose tissue with postoperative outcome in upper gastrointestinal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

There is no consensus on the relation between visceral fat mass and long-term postoperative prognosis in patients with upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of preoperative visceral fat mass with postoperative complications and overall survival (OS) in patients with upper GI cancer. We searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE (Dialog), the WHO International Clinical Trials Platform Search Portal, and ClinicalTrials.gov and identified observational studies published from inception through 20 July 2022. We conducted a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of studies including patients who were surgically treated for upper GI cancer and whose visceral fat mass was assessed on the basis of body composition. We independently assessed the risk of bias and quality of evidence using the Quality In Prognosis Studies and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach, respectively. The primary outcome was OS. HRs and 95% CIs for OS were pooled. Ninety-one studies (n=20,583) were included. All studies used computed tomography (CT) to assess the body composition of patients. Twenty-four studies reported the relation between high visceral fat and postoperative outcomes, and their results were synthesized. Compared with low visceral adipose tissue, high visceral adipose tissue assessed by CT may improve OS (HR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.55, 0.87; I2=65%; n=3407). The risk of bias for OS in each study was moderate or high. The certainty of evidence for OS was very low because of inconsistency in the forest plot, the moderate or high risk of bias, and publication bias. High visceral fat may be associated with improved OS after radical resection in patients with upper GI cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and mitigate the risk.

Safety and efficacy of liraglutide on reducing visceral and ectopic fat in adults with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To assess the efficacy and safety of liraglutide to reduce visceral and ectopic fat in adults with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Four databases were searched up to 6 May 2022 for randomized clinical trials assessing the effect of liraglutide on visceral and ectopic fat. The mean and standard deviation of the values of visceral fat, ectopic fat and body mass index were calculated. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the type of disease (T2DM or non-T2DM), duration of intervention, dosage of liraglutide and whether life interventions were added to liraglutide therapy. We extracted and integrated the safety assessments reported in each article. Sixteen randomized clinical trials with, in total, 845 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Liraglutide could significantly decrease visceral fat [standard mean difference (SMD)=-0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI; -1.12, -0.33)], liver fat [SMD=-0.78, 95% CI (-1.24, -0.32)] and body mass index [weighted mean difference=-1.44, 95% CI (-1.95, -0.92)] in adult patients with or without T2DM when compared with the control group. However, reduction of epicardial fat by liraglutide [SMD=-0.74, 95% CI (-1.82, 0.34)] was not statistically significant. Subgroup analysis revealed that an adequate dosage (≥1.8mg/day) and appropriate duration of treatment (ranging from 16 to 40 weeks) were the decisive factors for liraglutide to reduce visceral fat effectively. Mild gastrointestinal reactions were the main adverse event of liraglutide. Liraglutide significantly and safely reduces visceral and ectopic liver fat irrespective of T2DM status, and reduces visceral fat provided adequate dosage and duration of therapy are ensured.

Obesity-Associated Vitamin D Deficiency Correlates with Adipose Tissue DNA Hypomethylation, Inflammation, and Vascular Dysfunction.

Vitamin D (VD) deficiency is a hallmark of obesity and vascular dysfunction. We sought to test the hypothesis that VD deficiency may contribute to obesity-related vascular dysfunction by inducing adipokine hypomethylation and augmented expression. To this end, we collected blood and adipose tissues (ATs) from a cohort of 77 obese participants who were classified as having mild, moderate, or severe VD deficiency. The body composition, vascular reactivity, cardiometabolic profiles, and DNA methylation of 94 inflammation-related adipokines were measured. Our results show that higher degrees of VD deficiency were associated with lower DNA methylation and induced the expression of inflammatory adipokines such as B-cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6), C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 8 (CXCL8), histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5), interleukin 12A (IL12A), and nuclear factor κB (NFκB) in the ATs. They were also associated with higher BMI and total and visceral fat mass, impaired insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles, AT hypoxia, and higher concentrations of circulating inflammatory markers. Moderate and severe VD deficiency correlated with impaired vasoreactivity of the brachial artery and AT-isolated arterioles, reduced nitric oxide generation, and increased arterial stiffness. In a multivariate regression analysis, the VD deficiency level strongly predicted the adipokine methylation score, systemic inflammation, and microvascular dysfunction. In conclusion, our findings suggest that VD deficiency is a possible contributor to obesity-related adipokine hypomethylation, inflammation, and vascular dysfunction.

Bimatoprost promotes satiety and attenuates body weight gain in rats fed standard or obesity-promoting diets.

Bimatoprost is a synthetic prostamide F2α analog that down-regulates adipogenesis in vitro. This effect has been attributed to participation in a negative feedback loop that regulates anandamide-induced adipogenesis. A follow-on investigation has now been conducted into the broader metabolic effects of bimatoprost using rats under both normal state and obesity-inducing conditions. Chronic bimatoprost administration attenuated weight gain in a dose dependent-manner in rats fed either standard [max effect −7%] or obesity-promoting diets [max effect −23%] over a 9–10 week period. Consistent with these findings, bimatoprost promoted satiety as measured by decreased food intake [max effect, −7%], gastric emptying [max effect, −33–50%] and decreased circulating concentrations of the gut hormones, ghrelin and GLP-1 [max effect, −33–50%]. Additionally, subcutaneous, and visceral fat mass were distinctly affected by treatment [−30% diet independent]. Taken together, these results suggest that bimatoprost regulates energy homeostasis through promoting satiety and a decrease in food intake. These newly reported activities of bimatoprost reveal an additional method of metabolic disease intervention for potential therapeutic exploitation.

Abnormal [18F]FDG uptake in liver and adipose tissue: a potential imaging biomarker for cancer-associated cachexia.

This study aims to investigate and develop imaging biomarkers for the diagnosis of cancer-associated cachexia based on the organ and tissue-specific abnormal metabolisms measured by fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT. FDG PET/CT data from 390 cancer patients were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into a development cohort and a validation cohort. Cachexia was defined as weight loss > 5% in 6 months or BMI < 20 and weight loss > 2%. According to the above definitions, patients were divided into cachexia and non-cachexia groups. Results of the clinical laboratory tests for metabolic levels and organ and tissue-specific FDG uptake obtained from the cachexia and non-cachexia groups were compared statistically. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent variables associated with cachexia in the development cohort for generating the regression model. The performance of the model was tested using the data from a validation cohort and evaluated by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Based on the data from the development cohort of 286 patients and a validation cohort of 104 patients, it is found that age, white blood cell count, peak standardized uptake value (SUV) of the liver, and minimum SUV of lean body mass of visceral fat and subcutaneous fat were independently associated with cachexia. The model incorporating these variables reached an AUC of 0.777 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.721, 0.833) in the development cohort and an AUC of 0.729 (95% CI: 0.629, 0.829) in the validation cohort. Organ and tissue-specific abnormal glucose metabolism as measured by PET/CT can be used as a biomarker for cancer-associated cachexia. • Patients with cancer-associated cachexia have reduced FDG uptake in the liver and increased FDG uptake in visceral fat and subcutaneous fat. • FDG uptake of the liver, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat can be independent risk factors for identifying cancer-associated cachexia. • Cancer-associated cachexia can be classified using the model that incorporates age, white blood cell count, FDG uptake of the liver, and visceral and subcutaneous fat can diagnose with an AUC of 0.729.

Improvement of Low-Grade Inflammation in Patients with Metabolically Healthy Severe Obesity After Primary Bariatric Surgery.

The inflammatory state that accompanies adiposity and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is called "low-grade" inflammation. White blood cell count (WBC) has been proposed as an emerging biomarker for predicting future cardiovascular events, MetS and mortality. Bariatric surgery (BS) improves comorbidities associated with obesity and the MetS and the surgically induced weight loss is known to improve inflammatory status. To analyze the improvement of low-grade inflammation associated to obesity in patients with metabolically healthy severe obesity (MHSO) and patients with metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUSO) (severe obesity with MetS) after primary bariatric surgery as well as the protective effect of BS against the development of MetS in patients with MHSO by reducing the WBC. Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients undergoing laparoscopic primary BS (gastric by-pass or sleeve gastrectomy) from January 2004-December 2015. Outcomes included changing of low-grade inflammation in terms of leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets. Twenty-one patients with MHSO and 167 patients with MUSO underwent laparoscopic primary BS. The preoperative values of leukocyte and platelet were statistically higher in the group of patients with MHSO. In both groups, there was significant postoperative decrease of inflammatory markers. The greatest drop in WBC occurred in the second postoperative year. No patient of the group of patients with MHSO developed MetS within five postoperative years. Surgically induced weight loss plays an important role for improvement in chronic inflammation associated to obesity because of reduction of visceral fat mass. MHSO associates a low-grade chronic inflammatory status comparable to MUSO. The improvement or decrease of low-grade inflammation in patients with metabolically healthy severe obesity after bariatric surgery could have a protective effect against the development of MetS and medical conditions associated with severe obesity.

Anti-adiposity and lipid-lowering effects of schisandrol A in diet-induced obese mice.

Lignan schisandrol A (SolA) is known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the impact of SolA on obesity is poorly understood. To test the hypothesis that SolA has anti-obesity effects, C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet with or without SolA (0.006%, w/w) for 16 weeks. SolA decreased visceral fat mass (10%) by increasing energy expenditure and upregulating white adipose tissue thermogenic genes mRNA expression. Furthermore, SolA upregulated adipose Lpl mRNA expression and decreased plasma free fatty acid (FFA), triglyceride (TG), apolipoprotein (apo) B, aspartate aminotransferase levels and TG/HDL-cholesterol and apoB/apoA1 ratios as well as hepatic lipid droplets. Increased hepatic β-oxidation and fecal FFA and TG levels were observed in the SolA-supplemented mice, suggesting an association of its lipid-lowering effect with increased hepatic β-oxidation, fecal fat excretion and adipose Lpl. Conclusionally, this study provides evidence on the protective effects of SolA against adiposity, dyslipidemia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in obese mice.

Load-to-strength ratio at the radius is higher in adolescent and young adult females with obesity compared to normal-weight controls.

Among adolescents with extremity fractures, individuals with obesity have greater representation compared with individuals of normal-weight, despite having higher areal and volumetric bone mineral density (aBMD, vBMD) than their normal-weight counterparts. The relative increase in BMD in individuals with obesity may thus be insufficient to support the greater force generated upon falling. The load-to-strength ratio is a biomechanical approach for assessing the risk of fracture by comparing applied force to bone strength, with higher load-to-strength ratios indicating higher fracture risk. To assess the load-to-strength ratio at the distal radius in adolescent and young adult females with severe obesity (OB) compared with normal-weight healthy controls (HC). We hypothesized that OB have a higher load-to-strength ratio compared to HC. We examined bone parameters in 65 girls 14-21years old: 33 OB and 32 HC. We used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to assess body composition, high resolution peripheral quantitative CT (HR-pQCT) to estimate vBMD, and microfinite element analysis (μFEA) to assess bone strength at the distal radius. To quantify fracture risk, we computed the load-to-strength ratio, where the numerator is defined as the load applied to the outstretched hand during a forward fall and the denominator is the bone strength, as estimated by μFEA. Although OB had higher total vBMD than HC (368.3 vs. 319.9 mgHA/cm3, p=0.002), load-to-strength ratio at the radius was greater in OB than HC after controlling for age and race (0.66 vs. 0.54, p<0.0001). In OB, impact force and load-to-strength ratio were associated negatively with % lean mass (r=-0.49; p=0.003 and r=-0.65; p<0.0001 respectively) and positively with visceral fat (r=0.65; p<0.0001 and r=0.36; p=0.04 respectively). Adolescent and young adult females with obesity have higher load-to-strength ratio at the distal radius due to higher forces applied to bone in a fall combined with incomplete adaptation of bone to increasing body weight. This is differentially affected by lean mass, fat mass, and visceral fat mass.

PMON280 Effect of Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) on Adipose Tissue Morphology and Metabolism in Transgender Individuals

Abstract Background Circulating sex hormones exert unique effects on metabolism, leading to sexual dimorphism in white adipose tissue distribution and function. The gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) or cross-sex hormone therapy (CSHT) for transgender patients lower the endogenous sex hormones while raising the opposite sex hormones. Sex hormones are known to have a significant impact on white adipose tissue and metabolism. However, long-term metabolic changes with GAHT in transgender individuals have not been studied, nor are the underlying mechanisms properly elucidated. Hypothesis We test the hypothesis that GAHT will result in sexual dimorphic changes in morphology and function of white adipose tissue according to the type of sex hormones used and the native sex of the patients. Aim 1 To study the effect of cross-sex hormones on clinical parameters such as blood pressure, weight, waist-hip circumference ratio, serum lipids, insulin sensitivity Aim 2 To study the changes in human subcutaneous white adipose tissue (SWAT) distribution and expansion with GAHT Aim 3 To study changes in circulating metabolites and adipokines, and pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic gene expression in SWAT with GAHT. Methodology 31 hormone-naive patients (19 Male-to-Female; MtF and 12 Female-to-Male; FtM) were enrolled in the longitudinal study and followed up for 3 years. Clinical parameters and blood samples were gathered at baseline and at 6 month intervals. DXA scans and fat biopsies (peri-umbilical SWAT) were performed at baseline and at 1 year intervals. Results The results presented here compare baseline and at 1 year of GAHT. There was an increase in total cholesterol in the MtF group. HOMA-IR, total fat mass and visceral fat mass increased in MtF group, while they decreased in the FtM group. In MtF group, lean mass and bone mineral content (BMC) decreased at 1 year, but no change was observed in the FtM group. On histological assessment, fat cell size increased in MtF group, while it decreased in the FtM group. Conclusion In MtF transgender patients, androgen deprivation and estrogen treatment resulted in reduced insulin sensitivity together with a rise in total cholesterol possibly via a decrease in lean mass and adipose tissue expansion through significant adipocyte hypertrophy. In FtM transgender patients, testosterone treatment caused improved insulin sensitivity possibly via a decrease in total and visceral fat mass. The greatest strengths of our project include its longitudinal nature over 3 years to capture long-term effects in the same patients as well as deeper mechanistic insights into the underlying metabolite, adipokine and gene expression changes. The limitations of our study include the small sample size with heterogeneity of study population in terms of demographics and lifestyles. Presentation: Monday, June 13, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

ODP642 Differences in hormonal profiles and vitamin D status depending on the insulin sensitivity status in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Abstract Background Depending on metabolic profile, two different PCOS phenotypes may be distinguished- the metabolic phenotype related to insulin resistance (IR) and the reproductive one, with persistent insulin sensitivity. Hyperandrogenemia, the main feature of PCOS, leads to increased visceral fat and muscle masses and thus to lower insulin sensitivity. In turn, IR leads to metabolic consequences and hormonal imbalance. Moreover, vitamin D deficiency, which is common in PCOS patients, is also associated with insulin resistance. Aim To compare the hormonal profiles and vitamin D status in women with PCOS depending on insulin sensitivity status. Materials and methods One thousand three hundred women with PCOS, aged 18 to 40, were recruited. The patients were divided into two groups depending on their insulin sensitivity status. Metabolic and hormonal parameters were assessed in subjects from each group. Blood samples were collected between the second and the sixth day of the menstrual cycle (follicular phase)for the quantification of hormonal parameters using the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) methods or colorimetry. Results Patients with insulin resistance have a significantly higher concentration of DHEAS and TSH, higher Free Androgen Index, and significantly lower vitamin D concentration. Moreover, cortisol and estradiol concentrations are higher and prolactin is lower in patients with IR, but the differences are not statistically significant. There are no significant differences in the prevalence of Hashimoto disease between patients with IR and patients with persistent insulin sensitivity. Conclusions Metabolic phenotype of PCOS is associated with higher androgen concentration and higher TSH concentration compared to reproductive phenotype. Moreover, patients with PCOS and IR often have vitamin D deficiency compared to patients with persistent insulin sensitivity. Therefore the supplementation of vitamin D and regular TSH measurements are important in patients with metabolic PCOS phenotype. Presentation: No date and time listed

The associations between lipid profiles and visceral obesity among gastrointestinal cancer patients: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundVisceral obesity is associated with cancer incidence and prognosis. Altered lipid profiles are frequently seen in visceral obese patients. The blood test of lipid profiles is more convenient and has no radical side effects than computed tomography (CT), which is presently the most accurate way to measure visceral fat area. This article aims to investigate the associations between lipid profiles and visceral obesity in gastrointestinal cancer patients.MethodsIn total, 399 patients newly diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer were enrolled in this observational study. Lipid profiles were obtained from blood samples, and visceral fat mass area (VFA) was measured by CT. VFA ≥ 100 cm2 was considered visceral obesity. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was utilized to evaluate the prognostic powers of lipid parameters for viscerally obese gastrointestinal cancer patients.ResultsPatients who had visceral obesity had higher triglyceride (TG) levels (1.20 ± 0.60 vs. 0.87 ± 0.57 mmo/L, P < 0.001), total cholesterol (TC) levels (3.57 ± 0.84 vs. 3.40 ± 0.82, P = 0.044), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels (2.08 ± 0.66 vs. 1.94 ± 0.66, P = 0.047) and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) levels (0.88 ± 0.24 vs. 1.00 ± 0.26, P < 0.001) than those in the normal group. TG was positively correlated with VFA (r = 0.299, P < 0.001), while HDL-C was inversely correlated with VFA (r = -0.237, P < 0.001). TG and HDL-C had predictive capacity for visceral obesity at cutoff levels of 0.92 mmol/L (AUROC 0.700, 95% CI, 0.653–0.745, P < 0.001) and 0.98 mmol/L (AUROC 0.700, 95% CI, 0.585–0.682, P < 0.001), respectively. TG > 0.92 mmol/L with HDL-C < 0.98 mmol/L was linked with an increased risk of visceral obesity (OR = 4.068, 95% CI, 2.338—7.079, P < 0.001).ConclusionsLipid profiles were significantly correlated with VFA. Gastrointestinal cancer patients with TG > 0.92 mmol/L and HDL-C < 0.98 mmol/L were at elevated risk of visceral obesity in the Chinese population. Identifying visceral obesity and taking proper actions in gastrointestinal cancers are helpful for overall tumor prognosis.

Pentraxin 3 is an adipose tissue-related serum marker for pancreatic cancer cachexia predicting subsequent muscle mass and visceral fat loss.

Cancer cachexia, a paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by ongoing skeletal muscle mass loss, is accompanied by adipose tissue loss and strongly affects chemotherapy endurance. Our aim was to detect a serum marker reflecting pancreatic cancer cachexia and predicting subsequent loss of muscle mass and adipose tissue, focusing on adipose tissue-secreted proteins. Murine-derived pancreatic cancer cells were orthotopically injected into the mouse pancreatic tail. After 3 weeks, RNA sequencing of perigonadal fat and orthotopic tumors was carried out. We analyzed stocked sera and clinical data of metastatic pancreatic cancer patients who received chemotherapy. Perigonadal fat weight/body weight decreased in mice with orthotopic tumors compared to those without tumors. By RNA sequencing and real-time PCR validation, pentraxin 3 (PTX3) was identified as a secreted protein-encoded gene whose expression was significantly higher in the perigonadal fat of mice with orthotopic tumors than in that of mice without orthotopic tumors and was least expressed in orthotopic tumors. Serum PTX3 levels correlated with PTX3 mRNA levels in perigonadal fat and were higher in mice with orthotopic tumors than in those without tumors. In 84 patients diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer, patients with high serum PTX3 levels showed a greater visceral fat loss/month and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) decrease/month than those with low serum PTX3 levels. High serum PTX3 was an independent risk factor for visceral fat loss, decreased SMI, and poor prognosis. High serum PTX3 in pancreatic cancer patients predicts visceral fat and muscle mass loss and major clinical outcomes of cancer cachexia.

Preoperative High Visceral Fat Increases Severe Complications but Improves Long-Term Prognosis after Gastrectomy for Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

This study investigated the paradox of high visceral fat mass increasing severe complications but improving long-term prognosis after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. This was a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with primary stage I–III gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy between April 2008 and June 2018. The visceral adipose tissue index (VAI) was calculated by dividing the visceral fat mass preoperatively measured on computed tomography by the square of the height. Patients with VAIs below the median cut-off value were classified as low-VAI, while those above it were classified as high-VAI. We compared the postoperative complication rate and overall survival (OS) in the low- and high-VAI groups after adjusting patient characteristics using propensity score matching (PSM). There were 155 patients in both groups after PSM. After matching, there was no significant difference in factors other than BMI and VAI that were not adjusted. The high-VAI group had more severe postoperative complications (p = 0.018), but the OS was significantly better in the high-VAI group (hazard ratio 0.611, 95%CI 0.403–0.928, p = 0.021). Preoperative high visceral fat mass not only increased severe complications, but also improved OS after gastrectomy in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Normative reference data for body composition in healthy indigenous populations on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Body composition represents an important aspect of physical fitness and has received increasing attention in recent years. The present study was designed and conducted to provide reference values for age-, sex-, and altitude-specific body composition for healthy indigenous Tibetan adults living on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which has not yet been studied. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2,356 healthy Tibetan adults (1,433 females and 923 males) living on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau for generations. The body composition of the participants was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). The measurements included weight, basal metabolic rate (BMR), fat-free mass (FFM), skeletal muscle mass (SMM), protein mass (PM), bone mass (BM), fat mass (FM), percentage of body fat (PBF), subcutaneous fat mass (SFM), visceral fat mass (VFM), total body water (TBW), intracellular water (ICW), and extracellular water (ECW). Overall, males had greater FFM, SMM, PM, BM, and water mass, whereas females were high in fat mass. Participants from plains generally had higher body composition values, and PM, BM, FM and body water values decreased with increasing altitude, with the lowest values found in >4,000 m Shigatse. FFM, SMM, PM, and BM tended to decrease with increasing age, whereas fat mass and ECW tended to increase with increasing age. This study provides the first normative reference data of body composition for healthy indigenous individuals on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. These datasets are important for future research related to body composition. A considerable decrease in body composition values in > 4,000 m-altitude areas suggested that body composition cutoff values should be established by altitude. Age-, sex-, and altitude-specific alterations in body composition values also inform the prevention and amendment of abnormal body composition changes and resultant health complications.

Relationship between body composition and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BackgroundThe aim of the study were to analyze the lumbar volumetric bone mineral density (BMD), fat distribution and changes of skeletal muscle with quantitative computed tomography (QCT) in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to evaluate the relationship between body composition and BMD.MethodsOne hundred seventy-seven postmenopausal women with T2DM and 136 postmenopausal women without diabetes were included in the study and were divided into two groups according to age, 50–65 years age group and over 65 years of age group. The lumbar BMD (L1-L3), visceral fat mass (VFM), visceral fat area (VFA), subcutaneous fat mass (SFM), subcutaneous fat area (SFA), psoas major mass (PMM) and psoas major area (PMA) of each group were compared. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analysis were used to analyze the contribution of each variable to BMD in postmenopausal women with T2DM.ResultsIn women aged 50–65, the patients in the T2DM group had higher body mass index (BMI), VFM, VFA, and SFM (p < 0.05), compared with non-T2DM group. Over 65 years old, the BMI, BMD, VFM, VFA, and SFM was found to be much higher in participants with T2DM than in non-T2DM group (p < 0.05). Compared with women aged in 50–65 years old, those over 65 years old had higher VFA and VFM and lower BMD (p < 0.05), whether in the T2DM group or the non-T2DM group. Age, VFA and VFM were negatively correlated with BMD (r = -0.590, p ≤ 0.001; r = -0.179, p = 0.017; r = -0.155, p = 0.040, respectively). After adjusting for age, VFM and VFA were no longer correlated with BMD. No correlations between fat distribution or psoas major muscle and BMD in postmenopausal women with T2DM were observed.ConclusionsT2DM can affect abdominal fat deposition in postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal elderly women with diabetes have higher BMD than normal elderly women. There was no correlation between fat distribution or psoas major and BMD in postmenopausal women with diabetes mellitus.

Interscapular fat is associated with impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance independent of visceral fat mass.

Dysregulated body fat distribution is a major determinant of various diseases. In particular, increased visceral fat mass and ectopic lipids in the liver are linked to metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, interscapular fat is considered to be a metabolically active fat compartment. This study measured interscapular fat mass and investigated its relationship with glucose metabolism in 822 individuals with a wide range of BMI values and different glucose tolerance statuses. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to quantify body fat depots, and an oral glucose tolerance test was performed to determine glucose metabolism. Elevated interscapular fat mass was positively associated with age, BMI, and total body, visceral, and subcutaneous adipose tissue mass. High interscapular fat mass associated with elevated fasting glucose levels, glucose levels at 2 hours during the oral glucose tolerance test, glycated hemoglobin, and insulin resistance, independent of sex, age, and total body and visceral fat mass. In conclusion, interscapular fat might be a highly specific fat compartment with a potential impact on glucose metabolism and the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus.