Omental adipose tissue type 1 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase oxoreductase activity, body fat distribution, and metabolic alterations in women.
BACKGROUND
Modulation of adipose tissue exposure to active glucocorticoids by type 1 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-HSD1) is involved in abdominal obesity of rodent models, but only a few studies have related 11 beta-HSD1 oxoreductase activity to fat distribution in humans.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to examine the link between 11 beta-HSD1 oxoreductase activity, fat distribution patterns, and the metabolic profile in women.


METHODS
Omental (OM) and sc adipose tissue samples were obtained from 36 lean to obese women (aged 47.2 +/- 5.3 yr; body mass index 29.1 +/- 5.2 kg/m(2)) undergoing gynecological surgery. Measures of body composition, fat distribution, blood lipids, and insulin sensitivity were obtained. 11 beta-HSD1 oxoreductase activity was measured over a 24-h period by the reduction of [(14)C]cortisone in adipose tissue homogenates.


RESULTS
11 beta-HSD1 oxoreductase activity was higher in OM compared with sc adipose tissue (9.6 +/- 4.9 vs. 7.9 +/- 4.2 pmol/mg x h, P < 0.01). OM 11 beta-HSD1 oxoreductase activity was positively associated with OM adipocyte size (r = 0.67, P < 0.0001) and visceral adipose tissue area (r = 0.57, P < 0.0003). A positive correlation was also observed between the OM/sc 11 beta-HSD1 oxoreductase activity ratio and the OM/sc adipocyte size ratio (r = 0.37, P < 0.05) as well as the visceral/sc adipose tissue area ratio (r = 0.36, P < 0.05). Women in the highest tertile of OM 11 beta-HSD1 oxoreductase activity had larger OM adipocytes, increased OM lipolysis, increased lipoprotein lipase activity, decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, decreased adiponectin levels, and an increased homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index compared with women in the lower tertile (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that a relatively higher 11 beta-HSD1 activity in OM vs. sc adipose tissue is associated with preferential visceral fat accumulation and concomitant metabolic alterations.
Veilleux
Alain
A
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Laval University, Québec, Canada.
Rhéaume
Caroline
C
Daris
Marleen
M
Luu-The
Van
V
Tchernof
André
A
D043205:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D050154:Adiposity; D000328:Adult; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009852:Omentum / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000378:metabolism
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043205:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1