Abdominal superficial subcutaneous fat: A putative distinct protective fat subdepot in type 2 diabetes

Rachel Golan, Ilan Shelef, Assaf Rudich, Yftach Gepner, Elad Shemesh, Yoash Chassidim, Ilana Harman-Boehm, Yaakov Henkin, Dan Schwarzfuchs, Sivan Ben Avraham, Shula Witkow, Idit F. Liberty, Osnat Tangi-Rosental, Benjamin Sarusi, Meir J. Stampfer, Iris Shai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE - Unlike visceral adipose tissue (VAT), the association between subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and obesity-related morbidity is controversial. In patients with type 2 diabetes, we assessed whether this variability can be explained by a putative favorable, distinct association between abdominal superficial SAT (SSAT) (absolute amount or its proportion) and cardiometabolic parameters. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - We performed abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 73 patients with diabetes (mean age 58 years, 83% were men) and cross-sectionally analyzed fat distribution at S1-L5, L5-L4, and L3-L2 levels. Patients completed food frequency questionnaires, and subgroups had 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and 24-h ambulatory electrocardiography. RESULTS - Women had higher %SSAT (37 vs. 23% in men; P < 0.001) despite a similar mean waist circumference. Fasting plasma glucose (P = 0.046) and HbA 1c (P = 0.006) were both lower with increased tertile of absolute SSAT. In regression models adjusted for age, waist circumference, and classes of medical treatments used in this patient population, increased %SSAT was significantly associated with decreased HbA 1c (β = -0.317; P = 0.013), decreased daytime ambulatory blood pressure (β = -0.426; P = 0.008), and increased HDL cholesterol (β = 0.257; P = 0.042). In contrast, increased percent of deep SAT (DSAT) was associated with increased HbA 1c (β = 0.266; P = 0.040) and poorer heart rate variability parameters (P = 0.030). Although total fat and energy intake were not correlated with fat tissue distribution, increased intake of trans fat tended to be associated with total SAT (r = 0.228; P = 0.05) and DSAT (r = 0.20; P = 0.093), but not with SSAT. CONCLUSIONS - Abdominal SAT is composed of two subdepots that associate differently with cardiometabolic parameters. Higher absolute and relative distribution of fat in abdominal SSAT may signify beneficial cardiometabolic effects in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)640-647
Number of pages8
JournalDiabetes Care
Volume35
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Mar 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Internal Medicine
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Advanced and Specialised Nursing

Cite this