Association Between Visceral Fat and Brain Cortical Thickness in the Elderly: A Neuroimaging Study

BackgroundDespite emerging evidence suggesting that visceral fat may play a major role in obesity-induced neurodegeneration, little evidence exists on the association between visceral fat and brain cortical thickness in the elderly.PurposeWe aimed to examine the association between abdominal fat and brain cortical thickness in a Korean elderly population.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included elderly individuals without dementia (n = 316). Areas of visceral fat and subcutaneous fat (cm2) were estimated from computed tomography scans. Regional cortical thicknesses (mm) were obtained by analyzing brain magnetic resonance images. Given the inverted U-shaped relationship between visceral fat area and global cortical thickness (examined using a generalized additive model), visceral fat area was categorized into quintiles, with the middle quintile being the reference group. A generalized linear model was built to explore brain regions associated with visceral fat. The same approach was used for subcutaneous fat.ResultsThe mean (standard deviation) age was 67.6 (5.0) years. The highest quintile (vs. the middle quintile) group of visceral fat area had reduced cortical thicknesses in the global [β = –0.04 mm, standard error (SE) = 0.02 mm, p = 0.004], parietal (β = –0.04 mm, SE = 0.02 mm, p = 0.01), temporal (β = –0.05 mm, SE = 0.02 mm, p = 0.002), cingulate (β = –0.06 mm, SE = 0.02 mm, p = 0.01), and insula lobes (β = –0.06 mm, SE = 0.03 mm, p = 0.02). None of the regional cortical thicknesses significantly differed between the highest and the middle quintile groups of subcutaneous fat area.ConclusionThe findings suggest that a high level of visceral fat, but not subcutaneous fat, is associated with a reduced cortical thickness in the elderly.

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Long-Term Testosterone Administration Increases Visceral Fat in Female to Male Transsexuals1

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jcem.82.7.4078 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 82 (7) ◽

pp. 2044-2047 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jolanda M. H. Elbers ◽

Henk Asscheman ◽

Jacob C. Seidell ◽

Jos A. J. Megens ◽

Louis J. G. Gooren

Keyword(s):

Confidence Interval ◽

Visceral Fat ◽

Causal Relation ◽

Magnetic Resonance Images ◽

Visceral Fat Area ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Fat Depots ◽

Testosterone Administration ◽

The Mean

The amount of intraabdominal (visceral) fat is an important determinant of disturbances in lipid and glucose metabolism. Cross-sectional studies in women have found associations between high androgen levels and visceral fat accumulation. The causal relation between these phenomena is unknown. We, therefore, studied prospectively the effect of testosterone administration on body fat distribution in 10 young, nonobese, female to male transsexuals undergoing sex reassignment. Before, after 1 yr, and after 3 yr of testosterone administration, magnetic resonance images were obtained at the level of the abdomen, hip, and thigh to quantify both sc and visceral fat depots. After 1 yr of testosterone administration, sc fat depots at all levels showed significant reductions compared to baseline measurements. The mean visceral fat area did not change significantly, but subjects who gained weight in the first year after testosterone administration showed an increase in visceral fat. After 3 yr of testosterone administration, sc fat depots were no longer significantly lower compared to pretreatment measurements, but the mean visceral fat depot had increased significantly by 13 cm2 (95% confidence interval, 4–22 cm2), a relative increase of 47% (95% confidence interval, 8–91%) from baseline. The increase in visceral fat was most pronounced in those subjects who had gained weight. We conclude that long term testosterone administration in young, nonobese, female subjects increases the amount of visceral fat. In addition, an increase in weight in this hyperandrogenic state leads to a preferential storage of fat in the visceral depot.

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Does a “Cushion Effect” Really Exist? A Morphomic Analysis of Vulnerable Road Users with Serious Blunt Abdominal Injury

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9081006 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 1006

Author(s):

Yu-San Tee ◽

Chi-Tung Cheng ◽

Chi-Hsun Hsieh ◽

Shih-Ching Kang ◽

Chih-Yuan Fu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multivariate Analysis ◽

Visceral Fat ◽

Motor Vehicle ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Abdominal Injury ◽

Visceral Fat Area ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Road Users ◽

Severity Of Injury ◽

Vulnerable Road Users

Introduction: The severity of injury from motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) depends on complex biomechanical factors, and the bodily features of the injured person account for some of these factors. By assuming that vulnerable road users (VRUs) have limited protection resulting from vehicles and safety equipment, the current study analyzed the characteristics of fat distribution measured by computed tomography (CT) imaging and investigated the existence of a “cushion effect” in VRUs. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 592 VRUs involved in MVCs who underwent CT scans. Visceral fat area and subcutaneous fat cross-sectional area were measured and adjusted according to total body area (TBA) and are presented as the visceral fat ratio and the subQ fat ratio (subcutaneous fat ratio). Risk factors for serious abdominal injury (maximum abbreviated injury scale (MAISabd ≥ 3)) resulting from MVCs were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: MAISabd ≥ 3 was observed in 104 (17.6%) of the patients. The subQ fat ratio at the L4 vertebral level was significantly lower in the MAISabd ≥ 3 group than in the MAISabd < 3 group (24.9 ± 12.0 vs. 28.1 ± 11.9%; p = 0.015). A decreased L4 subQ fat ratio was associated with a higher risk for MAISabd ≥ 3 in multivariate analysis (odds ratio 0.063; 95% CI 0.008–0.509; p = 0.009). Conclusion: The current study supported the “cushion effect” theory, and protection was apparently provided by subcutaneous fat tissue. This concept may further improve vehicle and safety designation in the future.

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Targeting FFA1 and FFA4 receptors in cancer-induced cachexia

AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1152/ajpendo.00509.2019 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 319 (5) ◽

pp. E877-E892

Author(s):

Raquel D. S. Freitas ◽

Thaís C. Muradás ◽

Ana Paula A. Dagnino ◽

Fernanda L. Rost ◽

Kesiane M. Costa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visceral Fat ◽

Cancer Cachexia ◽

Motor Coordination ◽

Metabolic Diseases ◽

Uncoupling Protein ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Body Weight Loss ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Cross Sectional

Free fatty acid (FFA) receptors FFA1 and FFA4 are omega-3 molecular targets in metabolic diseases; however, their function in cancer cachexia remains unraveled. We assessed the role of FFA1 and FFA4 receptors in the mouse model of cachexia induced by Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cell implantation. Naturally occurring ligands such as α-linolenic acid (ALA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the synthetic FFA1/FFA4 agonists GW9508 and TUG891, or the selective FFA1 GW1100 or FFA4 AH7614 antagonists were tested. FFA1 and FFA4 expression and other cachexia-related parameters were evaluated. GW9508 and TUG891 decreased tumor weight in LLC-bearing mice. Regarding cachexia-related end points, ALA, DHA, and the preferential FFA1 agonist GW9508 rescued body weight loss. Skeletal muscle mass was reestablished by ALA treatment, but this was not reflected in the fiber cross-sectional areas (CSA) measurement. Otherwise, TUG891, GW1100, or AH7614 reduced the muscle fiber CSA. Treatments with ALA, GW9508, GW1100, or AH7614 restored white adipose tissue (WAT) depletion. As for inflammatory outcomes, ALA improved anemia, whereas GW9508 reduced splenomegaly. Concerning behavioral impairments, ALA and GW9508 rescued locomotor activity, whereas ALA improved motor coordination. Additionally, DHA improved grip strength. Notably, GW9508 restored abnormal brain glucose metabolism in different brain regions. The GW9508 treatment increased leptin levels, without altering uncoupling protein-1 downregulation in visceral fat. LLC-cachectic mice displayed FFA1 upregulation in subcutaneous fat, but not in visceral fat or gastrocnemius muscle, whereas FFA4 was unaltered. Overall, the present study shed new light on FFA1 and FFA4 receptors’ role in metabolic disorders, indicating FFA1 receptor agonism as a promising strategy in mitigating cancer cachexia.

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HELICAL COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY CAN MEASURE SUBCUTANEOUS, VISCERAL AND TOTAL FAT AREAS?

ABCD Arquivos Brasileiros de Cirurgia Digestiva (São Paulo) ◽

10.1590/0102-672020210003e1591 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Guilherme WENDLER ◽

Paulo Afonso Nunes NASSIF ◽

Osvaldo MALAFAIA ◽

Eduardo WENDLER ◽

Ilana Barrichello Torres WENDLER ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visceral Fat ◽

Medical Image ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Visceral Fat Area ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Visualization Software ◽

Grade Ii ◽

Total Fat ◽

Umbilical Scar

ABSTRACT Background: Abdominal obesity or android obesity, that is, the increase in adipose tissue in the abdominal region, is considered a risk factor for several morbidities. Different ways of quantifying it have been proposed, one method is the measurement of the abdominal fat area by computed tomography. Aim: To establish correspondence between the groups defined by degree of obesity in relation to the total, subcutaneous and visceral fat area. Methods: Cross-sectional observational study carried out through the analysis of tomographic examinations. Horos v3.3.5 medical image visualization software was used, with abdominal tomography in a single cut including the L4 vertebral body and the umbilical scar, to obtain the areas of total, visceral and subcutaneous fat. Results: Of the 40 patients, 10 had grade II obesity, 23 grade III and 7 superobese. The amount of total fat showed an increase in relation to the degree of obesity. Visceral fat did not show significant differences between the degrees of obesity, but the data showed a lower average in the group of obesity grade II. The area of subcutaneous fat, as well as total fat, showed an increase in its measurements, according to the progression of the patients’ BMI, but there was no statistical significance in this difference between the groups of grade II and super-obese individuals. Conclusion: The area of total and subcutaneous fat showed an increase in its measurements according to the progression of the BMI groups, which did not happen with visceral fat.

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Visceral fat obesity is the key risk factor for the development of reflux erosive esophagitis in 40–69-years subjects

Esophagus ◽

10.1007/s10388-021-00859-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Shinya Ohashi ◽

Takahisa Maruno ◽

Keita Fukuyama ◽

Osamu Kikuchi ◽

Tomohiko Sunami ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Visceral Fat ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Erosive Esophagitis ◽

Smoking History ◽

Related Factors ◽

Visceral Fat Area ◽

Daily Alcohol Intake ◽

Gastrointestinal Reflux ◽

Total Fat

Abstract Background Visceral fat obesity can be defined quantitatively by abdominal computed tomography, however, the usefulness of measuring visceral fat area to assess the etiology of gastrointestinal reflux disease has not been fully elucidated. Methods A total of 433 healthy subjects aged 40–69 years (234 men, 199 women) were included in the study. The relationship between obesity-related factors (total fat area, visceral fat area, subcutaneous fat area, waist circumference, and body mass index) and the incidence of reflux erosive esophagitis was investigated. Lifestyle factors and stomach conditions relevant to the onset of erosive esophagitis were also analyzed. Results The prevalence of reflux erosive esophagitis was 27.2% (118/433; 106 men, 12 women). Visceral fat area was higher in subjects with erosive esophagitis than in those without (116.6 cm2 vs. 64.9 cm2, respectively). The incidence of erosive esophagitis was higher in subjects with visceral fat obesity (visceral fat area ≥ 100 cm2) than in those without (61.2% vs. 12.8%, respectively). Visceral fat obesity had the highest odds ratio (OR) among obesity-related factors. Multivariate analysis showed that visceral fat area was associated with the incidence of erosive esophagitis (OR = 2.18), indicating that it is an independent risk factor for erosive esophagitis. In addition, daily alcohol intake (OR = 1.54), gastric atrophy open type (OR = 0.29), and never-smoking history (OR = 0.49) were also independently associated with the development of erosive esophagitis. Conclusions Visceral fat obesity is the key risk factor for the development of reflux erosive esophagitis in subjects aged 40–69 years.

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Hepatic steatosis in Cushing's syndrome: a radiological assessment using computed tomography

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/eje.0.1490543 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 149 (6) ◽

pp. 543-548 ◽

Cited By ~ 91

Author(s):

AG Rockall ◽

SA Sohaib ◽

D Evans ◽

G Kaltsas ◽

AM Isidori ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Hepatic Steatosis ◽

Cushing’S Syndrome ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Visceral Fat ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Cushing's Syndrome ◽

Abdominal Fat ◽

Visceral Fat Area

OBJECTIVE: Hepatic steatosis may occur in association with insulin resistance and obesity, two features commonly seen in Cushing's syndrome (CS). The aim of this report is to assess the prevalence of hepatic steatosis in patients with active CS using computed tomography (CT) and to identify any associations between hepatic steatosis, endocrine and biochemical variables and body fat distribution. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: We identified 50 patients with active CS in whom appropriate CT was available to allow measurement of liver and spleen attenuation. In 26 patients, abdominal fat measurements were also available. Serum markers of CS and liver function tests were recorded. RESULTS: Ten of 50 patients had a liver-to-spleen CT attenuation ratio (L/S) of less than 1, indicating hepatic steatosis. There was a significant negative correlation between both liver attenuation and L/S ratio with total abdominal fat area, visceral fat area, the percentage of visceral fat and the visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio; the strongest negative correlation was found between visceral fat area and L/S ratio (r=-0.638, P<0.001, n=26). L/S ratio positively correlated with alkaline phosphatase levels (r=+0.423, P=0.044, n=23) but with no other serum marker of CS activity or liver enzyme. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated hepatic steatosis on CT in 20% of patients with active CS. The presence of hepatic steatosis was significantly correlated with total abdominal fat area and visceral fat area.

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Cross-sectional study of the association between day-to-day home blood pressure variability and visceral fat area measured using the dual impedance method

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0206945 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. e0206945 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Junko Kuwabara ◽

Koichiro Kuwahara ◽

Yoshihiro Kuwabara ◽

Shinji Yasuno ◽

Yasuaki Nakagawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Visceral Fat ◽

Blood Pressure Variability ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Home Blood Pressure ◽

Impedance Method ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Visceral Fat Area ◽

Cross Sectional

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Systemic Inflammation Characterizes Lack of Metabolic Health in Nonobese HIV-Infected Men

Mediators of Inflammation ◽

10.1155/2018/5327361 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ana N. Monczor ◽

Xiuhong Li ◽

Frank J. Palella ◽

Kristine M. Erlandson ◽

Dorothy Wiley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Inflammation ◽

Visceral Fat ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Metabolic Health ◽

Model Assessment ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Inflammatory Biomarker ◽

Hiv Serostatus ◽

Metabolically Healthy

Background. Increasing body mass index (BMI) is generally associated with loss of metabolic health, although some obese individuals remain metabolically healthy. Among nonobese men, HIV infection has been associated with a lower prevalence of metabolic health. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 470 HIV-infected and 368 HIV-uninfected men enrolled in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study Cardiovascular substudy. Circulating biomarker levels were compared by BMI category and by HIV serostatus. Poisson regression with robust variance determined associations between metabolic health and circulating inflammatory biomarker levels after adjusting for factors previously associated with metabolic health. Results. HIV-infected men were younger and less likely to be obese. Among HIV-infected, normal weight metabolically healthy men (compared to unhealthy) had significantly lower circulating levels of interleukin- (IL-) 6, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors (sTNFR) I and II, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), higher adiponectin, less visceral fat, and more subcutaneous fat. Among HIV-uninfected normal weight men and obese men (regardless of HIV serostatus), metabolic health was associated only with higher levels of adiponectin, less visceral fat, and lower HOMA-IR values. In multivariate analyses restricted to HIV-infected men, lower hs-CRP, sTNFRI, sTNFRII, and HOMA-IR and higher adiponectin levels were associated with metabolic health. Additional adjustment for visceral adiposity did not alter results. Conclusions. Among HIV-infected normal weight men, metabolic health was associated with less systemic inflammation, a relationship that, among normal weight men, was unique to HIV+ men and did not exist among obese men of either HIV serostatus.

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A Cross-Sectional Study: Predicting Health Risks Among Female University Students

The Open Public Health Journal ◽

10.2174/1874944502013010316 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 316-322

Author(s):

Qassim I. Muaidi ◽

Mohammad Ahsan

Keyword(s):

Waist Circumference ◽

Health Risks ◽

Visceral Fat ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Anthropometric Measurements ◽

Height Ratio ◽

Visceral Fat Area ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Waist Height Ratio

Background: Good health is very important in our lives and plays a significant role. Many health risks are associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. These risks are responsible for raising the risk of chronic heart diseases and other health complications. Females are not exempted from these issues. Objective: To identify the obesity-associated health risks of female students by using selected anthropometric measurements. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted including 300 females aged 20.82 ± 5.23 years from the college of applied medical sciences, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University. The anthropometric measurements (body mass index, percentage of body fat, visceral fat area, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio,and waist-height ratio) were taken with the help of an auto-calibrated bioelectric impedance device. The waist-height ratio was determined by dividing waist circumference with height. Cross tabulation was done to scrutinize the participant’s levels at risk and high risk. Linear regression analysis was done to see the relationship and prediction between selected anthropometric measurements. Results: The finding showed that BMI level was high in 55% of participants, Waist-height ratio over the average level was 46.67% and 21% of participants had a visceral fat area on risk. Linear regression analysis showed a strong association among body mass index, percentage of body fat, visceral fat area, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio,and waist-height ratio and statistically significant to each other at the 0.01 level. Conclusion: The selected anthropometric measurements can be used to identify health-related risks. Though, when any anthropometric measurement dichotomized as standard or high, BMI is the best measure to predict health risk.

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