Subcutaneous adipose tissue blood flow varies between superior and inferior levels of the anterior abdominal wall.
OBJECTIVE
Blood flow regulation is thought to mediate the metabolic functions of adipose tissue. Different depots, and even different layers within the subcutaneous adipose tissue, may vary in metabolic activity and blood flow. Therefore, we investigated if any differences in subcutaneous adipose tissue blood flow (ATBF) exist at different locations of the anterior abdominal wall.


METHODS
ATBF was measured 8-10 cm above or below the umbilicus, at 8-10 cm (both sides) from the midline, in 18 healthy subjects (BMI range 18-33 kg/m(2)). Measurements of ATBF were performed using (133)xenon washout, during a stable baseline period and after ingestion of 75 g of glucose.


RESULTS
At baseline, ATBF was greater at the upper level compared to the lower level (4.4+/-0.3 vs 3.8+/-0.2 ml min(-1) 100 g tissue(-1), P=0.005), but was not different between the right and the left sides at either level. ATBF increased in response to oral glucose at all sites. The mean increase at the superior level was also greater than the inferior level (3.5+/-0.7 vs 2.2+/-0.6 ml min(-1) 100 g tissue(-1), P=0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Even at a constant depth and with only 16-20 cm difference between sites, there are significant differences in function of the same adipose depot. These findings have physiological and methodological implications for in vivo metabolic studies of human adipose tissue.
Ardilouze
J-L
JL
Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Karpe
F
F
Currie
J M
JM
Frayn
K N
KN
Fielding
B A
BA
D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000098:blood supply*; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019518:Postprandial Period / Q000502:physiology; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000098:blood supply*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D007328:Insulin