Human visceral fat in different anthropometric patterns and in diabetes: a morphometric study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the cellularity of the adipose tissue and the size of adipocytes in unrelated adults and investigate any correlation between morphometric and anthropometric or clinical variables.


METHODS
Surgical biopsies of visceral fat (epiploic appendixes) were obtained from the large intestines of 56 patients. A morphometric model was applied to obtain the volume fraction occupied by adipocytes and the size distribution and number in unit volume of the adipocytes. Body mass index (BMI), lifestyle factors, significant body weight variations and clinical disorders (diabetes) were evaluated.


RESULTS
Volume fraction occupied by adipocytes and size distribution and number in unit volume of the adipocytes have an opposite trend in underweight, normal and overweight subjects and subjects with referred gain, normal, or loss weight. Regression analysis reveals a significant negative linear relationship between number in unit volume of the adipocytes and BMI and body weight variations. The group of normal patients is characterized by a unimodal size distribution of adipocytes when compared with the group affected by diabetes, who show a likely plurimodal pattern.


CONCLUSIONS
Our observations seem to confirm the hypothesis that hypertrophy, rather than adipose tissue hyperplasia, plays a fundamental role when significant ponderal variations occur in adult life.
Vertemati
Maurizio
M
Institute of Endocrinology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Goffredi
Maria
M
Moscheni
Claudia
C
Callegari
Silvio
S
Vizzotto
Laura
L
D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002452:Cell Count; D048429:Cell Size; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis