Fat distribution and endothelial function in normal-overweight menopausal women

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular research
• Metabolic health
• Vascular biology

Background:

• Adipose tissue, particularly in the trunk, is metabolically active, releasing adipokines.
• These adipokines are associated with insulin resistance, inflammation, and atherosclerosis.
• Ultrasound technology aids in assessing fat distribution and its metabolic impact on early atherosclerosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine how abdominal fat influences endothelial function in normal-overweight individuals.
• To investigate the relationship between abdominal fat, early atherosclerotic damage, and inflammatory markers.
• To assess these factors in 162 normal-overweight Caucasian postmenopausal women (BMI 25-30 kg/m²).

Main Methods:

• 162 Caucasian postmenopausal women were analyzed.
• Visceral fat distribution was assessed and correlated with brachial flow-mediated vasoactivity (FMV).
• Measurements included BMI, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), and lipid profiles.

Main Results:

• Lower visceral fat correlated with higher brachial FMV and lower BMI, waist circumference, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and LDL cholesterol.
• Visceral fat directly correlated with sICAM-1 (r=0.43) and inversely with FMV (r=-0.49).
• Multivariate analysis identified LDL cholesterol, visceral fat, sICAM-1, HDL cholesterol, and brachial diameter as predictors of brachial FMV.

Conclusions:

• In normal-overweight Caucasian women, visceral fat is associated with increased soluble ICAM-1 levels.
• Visceral fat is inversely related to endothelial function (FMV).
• Abdominal visceral fat plays a significant role in endothelial dysfunction and systemic inflammation.