Associations of abdominal intermuscular adipose tissue and inflammation: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

This study examined the associations between abdominal IMAT area and density with inflammatory markers associated with cardiometabolic disease.

1897 participants enrolled in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis underwent computed tomography to quantify body composition and measurements of adiponectin, leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and resistin.

The mean age and body mass index of participants was 65years and 28kg/m², respectively, and 50% were female. After adjustment for age, sex, and race/ethnicity, as IMAT area increased and density decreased from the first to fourth quartile, markers of inflammation increased linearly (p<0.01). Using linear regression, and with adjustment for demographics, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and abdominal muscle area and density, a 1-standard deviation (SD) increase in total abdominal IMAT area was associated with a 21%, 36% and 20% higher IL-6, leptin, and CRP, respectively, and 19% lower adiponectin (p<0.001). With similar adjustment, a 1-SD decrease in total abdominal IMAT density was associated with a 14%, 32%, and 15% higher IL-6, leptin, and CRP, respectively, and 22% lower adiponectin (p<0.001). These associations were attenuated with the addition of visceral fat (p>0.05).

Abdominal IMAT area and density are associated with inflammatory markers, with these associations attenuated by central adiposity.