title: Convergence of adipocyte hypertrophy, telomere shortening and hypoadiponectinemia in obese subjects and in patients with type 2 diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although telomere shortening has been linked with type 2 diabetes and most variables of adiposity, a shortcoming of such studies is the measurement of telomere length in leukocytes. Therefore, we tested the association among adipocyte cell size, telomere length (both subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue) and systemic levels of adiponectin in obese subjects and patients with type 2 diabetes compared to control subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues were obtained from the subjects who have undergone bariatric surgery or other abdominal surgeries. The study groups comprised: i) control subjects, ii) type 2 diabetes patients, iii) obese subjects without diabetes and iv) obese subjects with diabetes. Adipocyte cell size was measured by histological staining. Adiponectin levels were measured by ELISA. Telomere length was determined by Real-time PCR and lipid peroxidation was assessed by fluorimetry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to control subjects, adipocyte size (both subcutaneous and visceral) from obese, diabetic and obese-diabetic subjects was significantly larger [p<0.001]. Individuals with adipose hypertrophy also exhibited shortened telomeres and hypoadiponectinemia. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that both visceral and subcutaneous fat cell size showed a positive correlation with FBS, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, LDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides and negatively correlated with HDL and adiponectin. Regression analysis revealed that the association between shortened telomeres and hypoadiponectinemia was lost when adjusted for adipocyte cell size.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adipocyte hypertrophy appears to be strongly associated with shortened telomeres, hypoadiponectinemia and poor glycemic and lipid control. Interestingly, these molecular alterations seen in lean diabetics reflect a state of 'metabolic obesity'.
authors: Madras Diabetes Research Foundation & Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre, Chennai, India.
authors: Finny
authors: F
authors: Monickaraj
authors: Kuppan
authors: K
authors: Gokulakrishnan
authors: Paramasivam
authors: P
authors: Prabu
authors: Chandrakumar
authors: C
authors: Sathishkumar
authors: Ranjit Mohan
authors: RM
authors: Anjana
authors: Janavikula Sankaran
authors: JS
authors: Rajkumar
authors: Viswanathan
authors: V
authors: Mohan
authors: Muthuswamy
authors: M
authors: Balasubramanyam
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D048429:Cell Size; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008661:Metabolism, Inborn Errors / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000473:pathology; D059506:Telomere Shortening; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances