Body composition in premature adrenarche by structural MRI, 1H MRS and DXA.
BACKGROUND
Premature adrenarche (PA) is recognized to be a possible precursor of polycystic ovarian syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Visceral adiposity and increased intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) are associated with insulin resistance and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether prepubertal girls with PA have altered visceral adiposity and/or increased muscle lipid content compared to prepubertal girls without PA using proton magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (1H MRS).


METHODS
We performed total body dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans, MRI of the trunk, and MRS of the tibialis anterior muscle in the right calf on six girls with PA and eight prepubertal controls.


RESULTS
Amount of visceral adipose tissue (VAT), abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and VAT to SAT ratio did not differ significantly between the PA and control girls. Those with PA, however, had significantly greater IMCL than controls (p = 0.004).


CONCLUSIONS
This study adds further evidence that PA is not a benign condition, and future studies investigating early intervention with dietary and exercise counseling may help diminish potential risk for diabetes mellitus and/or cardiovascular disease.
Leibel
Natasha
N
Department of Pediatrics, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Shen
Wei
W
Mao
Xiangling
X
Punyanitya
Mark
M
Gallagher
Dympna
D
Horlick
Mary
M
Shungu
Dikoma C
DC
Oberfield
Sharon E
SE
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D050499:Adrenarche / Q000502:physiology*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000473:pathology; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000473:pathology