Distribution of fat stores in young adults with different metabolic phenotypes

Adipose tissue is considered as an endocrine organ that affects the metabolic health of a person. Unified quantitative indicators of fat depots according to computed tomography have not been determined. Determination the critical level of intraabdominal, subcutaneous, epicardial, perivascular fat depots associated with metabolic syndrome in young adults is of scientific and practical interest.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the distribution and relationship of fat depots with metabolic profile in young adults with different metabolic phenotypes, and to determine the critical level associated with metabolic syndrome (MS).

Materials and methods: the study included 132 people (average age 37,59 ± 6,35 years). 3 groups were formed: 0 group – 16 healthy volunteers (median age 32 [27; 35); 1 group – 46 people with MSAO (40 years [34; 43); 2 group – 70 people with MS 40 years [35; 44. All the subjects were assessed for height, weight, waist circumference (WC), BMI. The following were evaluated: lipid profile, glucose, 2-hour glucose tolerance test, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, HOMA-IR. Performed by BPM. The volumes of subcutaneous, intraabdominal, perivascular, epicardial fats, the ratio of subcutaneous to intraabdominal fat were determined using computed tomography.

Results: The maximum values of intraabdominal, epicardial and periportal fat were in individuals with MS – with an unhealthy metabolic phenotype. There was a significant association of the periaortic fat depot with the maximum number of MS indicators: lipid profile (p < 0,01), glucose (p < 0,01), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0,01), WC (p < 0,01). Intraabdominal and epicardial fat depots were significantly associated with the level of TG, HDL, glucose, with the level of pressure and WC (p < 0,01). Subcutaneous fat had few reliable correlations, and was associated only with TG and WC (p < 0,01). The critical level of periaortic fat associated  with metabolic syndrome was < 12,2 cm³ (AuROC 0,72, p < 0,01), epicardial < 88,5 cm³ (AuROC 0,69, p < 0,01), intraabdominal < 129,9 cm² (AuROC 0,78, p < 0,01), subcutaneous < 330,0 cm² (AuROC 0,61, p < 0,01), the ratio of subcutaneous to intraabdominal < 1,6 (AuROC 0,70, p < 0,01).

Conclusion: Critical values of periportal, epicardial, intraabdominal, subcutaneous and the ratio of subcutaneous to intraabdominal associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome were identified in young adults. The level of periportal fat < 12,2 ml can be considered as a predictor of MS in young adults, but further studies are required.

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