Relation of intra-abdominal fat distribution to metabolic disorders in nonobese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relation between intra-abdominal fat distribution and metabolic disorders in nonobese patients with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Prospective case-control study.


METHODS
University-based hospital.


METHODS
Thirty nonobese patients with PCOS and 30 lean women with regular menstrual cycles (controls). All participants had a body mass index < 25kg/m(2).


METHODS
Subcutaneous and intra-abdominal visceral and preperitoneal fat thicknesses were assessed by ultrasonography. Glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were evaluated by standard 75-g oral glucose tolerance test and area-under-the-curve analysis. Serum hormones and lipid profile were measured.


RESULTS
The mean preperitoneal and visceral fat thicknesses were significantly greater in nonobese patients with PCOS. Subcutaneous fat mass was similar between the PCOS and control groups. Nonobese patients with PCOS had glucose intolerance, hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia, manifested by high serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and low serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. No correlation existed between subcutaneous fat thickness and the metabolic variables in nonobese patients with PCOS. However, serum triglyceride levels correlated with visceral fat and preperitoneal fat thickness. The mean HDL level correlated negatively with visceral fat and preperitoneal fat thickness. The area under the curve for insulin and mean fasting insulin levels correlated positively with visceral fat thickness. In multiple regression analysis, visceral fat thickness contributed significantly to high serum triglyceride and fasting insulin levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Intra-abdominal preperitoneal and visceral fat accumulation may contribute to the development of glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in nonobese patients with PCOS.
Yildirim
Basak
B
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey. basakyildirim@hotmail.com
Sabir
Nuran
N
Kaleli
Babur
B
D000005:Abdomen / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001823:Body Composition; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000209:etiology; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D007328:Insulin