Mitochondrial DNA copy number in peripheral blood is independently associated with visceral fat accumulation in healthy young adults.
Aims. Visceral obesity is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases and it is important to identify the underlying mechanisms. There is growing evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with metabolic disturbances related to visceral obesity. In addition, maintaining mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number is important for preserving mitochondrial function. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between mtDNA copy number and visceral fat in healthy young adults. Methods. A total of 94 healthy young subjects were studied. Biomarkers of metabolic risk factors were assessed along with body composition by computed tomography. mtDNA copy number was measured in peripheral leukocytes using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Results. The mtDNA copy number correlated with BMI (r = -0.22, P = 0.04), waist circumference (r = -0.23, P = 0.03), visceral fat area (r = -0.28, P = -0.01), HDL-cholesterol levels (r = 0.25, P = 0.02), and hs-CRP (r = 0.32, P = 0.02) after adjusting for age and sex. Both stepwise and nonstepwise multiple regression analyses confirmed that visceral fat area was independently associated with mtDNA copy number (β = -0.33, P < 0.01, β = 0.32, and P = 0.03, resp.). Conclusions. An independent association between mtDNA content and visceral adiposity was identified. These data suggest that mtDNA copy number is a potential predictive marker for metabolic disturbances. Further studies are required to understand the causality and clinical significance of our findings.
Department of Family Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, 250 Seongsanno, Seodaemun-gu 120-752, Republic of Korea.
Jee-Yon
0000-0001-7669-9370
JY
Lee
Department of Family Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, 250 Seongsanno, Seodaemun-gu 120-752, Republic of Korea.
Duk-Chul
DC
Lee
Sport and Medicine Research Center, INTOTO Inc., 401 Dawoo BD, 90-6 Daeshin-Dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-160, Republic of Korea.
Jee-Aee
JA
Im
Department of Family Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, 250 Seongsanno, Seodaemun-gu 120-752, Republic of Korea.
Ji-Won
JW
Lee