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Relationship between endothelium-dependent vasodilation and fat distribution using the new "imiomics" image analysis
Lars Lind1, Robin Strand2, Karl Michaelsson3
1Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases : NMCD
|August 5, 2019
Summary
Endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV) is linked to fat distribution in women, with a novel technique, Imiomics, revealing detailed relationships between EDV and various fat depots.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Metabolic Health
- Medical Imaging Analysis
Background:
- Vasoreactivity is crucial for cardiovascular health.
- Fat distribution, particularly visceral and liver fat, is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
- Traditional imaging methods have limitations in comprehensively assessing the relationship between fat distribution and vascular function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between vasoreactivity in the brachial artery and forearm resistance vessels with fat distribution and tissue volume.
- To compare traditional imaging analysis with a novel technique, Imiomics, for assessing these relationships.
- To explore sex-specific differences in the associations between fat distribution and vasoreactivity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 326 subjects in the Prospective Investigation of Obesity, Energy and Metabolism (POEM) study.
- Measured endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV) via acetylcholine infusion and flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD).
- Assessed fat distribution using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including the novel Imiomics technique for detailed 3D image element analysis.
Main Results:
- EDV, but not FMD, was negatively associated with total fat mass, liver fat, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in women, but not men.
- Imiomics revealed inverse relationships between EDV and local SAT volumes in the upper body, gluteo-femoral region, and legs in women.
- Liver, heart, and VAT size were also inversely related to EDV, with less pronounced findings in men. FMD showed weaker associations with SAT and liver fat.
Conclusions:
- Endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV) is significantly related to liver fat, SAT, and VAT in women, with less pronounced associations in men.
- The novel Imiomics technique confirmed traditional findings and provided more detailed insights into the relationship between vasoreactivity and fat distribution.
- These findings highlight the importance of fat distribution in vascular health, particularly in women, and the potential of advanced imaging techniques for deeper understanding.