Does sympathoadrenal activity predict changes in body fat? An 18-y follow-up study

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Human Physiology
• Obesity Research

Background:

• The role of the sympathoadrenal system in obesity development remains unclear.
• It is debated whether sympathoadrenal system alterations cause or result from obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the predictive role of the sympathoadrenal system in body fat development.
• To test the hypothesis that epinephrine response predicts future adiposity.

Main Methods:

• Measured arterial plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations in 99 healthy men.
• Assessed body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness at baseline and after 18 years.
• Evaluated sympathoadrenal activity during rest, mental stress, and cold pressor tests.

Main Results:

• Epinephrine response to mental stress (E(MST)) negatively correlated with changes in BMI and waist circumference.
• Subjects with the lowest E(MST) quartile had a greater mean BMI increase.
• E(MST) was a consistent negative predictor of future BMI, waist circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness over 18 years.

Conclusions:

• The epinephrine response to mental stress predicts future body fat accumulation over 18 years.
• This finding suggests a potential role for the sympathoadrenal system in obesity pathophysiology.
• Highlights the predictive value of acute stress-induced hormonal responses for long-term metabolic health.