Lean body mass and the cardiorespiratory phenotype: An ethnic-specific relationship in Hans Chinese women and men

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Cardiovascular Science
• Human Biology

Background:

• A female-specific relationship between lean body mass (LBM) and cardiovascular (CV) and respiratory function exists in European-Americans.
• It is unknown if this relationship applies to Hans Chinese (HC), a population with typically lower LBM.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between LBM and cardiac and aerobic function in Hans Chinese adults.
• To determine if LBM independently influences cardiovascular and respiratory capacity in this ethnic group.

Main Methods:

• 144 healthy Hans Chinese adults (50% female) were assessed.
• Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measured total and regional LBM and body composition.
• Transthoracic echocardiography and pulmonary gas analyses evaluated cardiac structure, hemodynamics, and peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak).

Main Results:

• Women had lower LBM and higher body fat percentage than men.
• Total LBM positively correlated with left ventricular mass and volumes, and negatively with arterial stiffness in both sexes.
• LBM strongly associated with VO2peak and peak cardiac output in both men and women.
• Leg LBM was particularly linked to the arterio-venous oxygen difference during peak exercise.

Conclusions:

• Lean body mass is an independent determinant of cardiac dimensions and ventricular mass.
• LBM influences arterial distensibility and the body's capacity to deliver and consume oxygen.
• These findings apply to Hans Chinese adults regardless of sex.