Relation of skinfold thickness and visceral fat with the endothelial function in Mexican postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship between skinfolds and visceral fat with vascular reactivity according to body weight, fat distribution and time since menopause in Mexican postmenopausal women.


METHODS
In postmenopausal women, tricipital, suprailiac and subscapular skinfolds as well as blood pressure were measured, and body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. Brachial artery Doppler ultrasound at baseline and after the hyperemic stimulus was done and Doppler parameters were assessed. For statistical analysis, Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis, as well as Student t were used.


RESULTS
Sixty-six postmenopausal women were studied; age was 54.5 ± 7.4 years. Skinfold thickness was related with subcutaneous and visceral fat. In all groups, the arterial diameter increased after the hyperemic stimulus among 6.5% and 9% of women. The pulsatility index decreased in the whole group and in those with BMI ≤ 27, WHR ≤ 0.85 and time since menopause ≤ 10 years. Negative correlations were observed between the percentage of change in arterial dilatation and the subscapular skinfold and subcutaneous fat in the whole group and in the subgroups with BMI > 27 and WHR > 0.85.


CONCLUSIONS
Skinfolds are indirectly related with visceral fat, and skinfold thickness permit to conclude about impact in endothelial environment.
UMAE Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia "Luis Castelazo Ayala", Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico.
Sebastián
S
Carranza-Lira
UMAE Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia "Luis Castelazo Ayala", Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico.
Ana Mirna Fino
AM
Muro
UMAE Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia "Luis Castelazo Ayala", Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico.
Sergio Rosales
SR
Ortiz
endothelium; skinfold; vascular reactivity; visceral fat