Diabetes 51:1005-1015, 2002
© 2002 by the American Diabetes Association, Inc.
The Concurrent Accumulation of Intra-Abdominal and Subcutaneous Fat Explains the Association Between Insulin Resistance and Plasma Leptin Concentrations
Distinct Metabolic Effects of Two Fat Compartments
Miriam Cnop1,
Melinda J. Landchild1,
Josep Vidal1,
Peter J. Havel3,
Negar G. Knowles1,
Darcy R. Carr2,
Feng Wang1,
Rebecca L. Hull1,
Edward J. Boyko1,
Barbara M. Retzlaff1,
Carolyn E. Walden4,
Robert H. Knopp1, and
Steven E. Kahn1
1 Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, and Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
3 Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California
4 College of Medicine Research Office, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
Obesity is associated with insulin resistance, particularly when body fat has a central distribution. However, insulin resistance also frequently occurs in apparently lean individuals. It has been proposed that these lean insulin-resistant individuals have greater amounts of body fat than lean insulin-sensitive subjects. Alternatively, their body fat distribution may be different. Obesity is associated with elevated plasma leptin levels, but some studies have suggested that insulin sensitivity is an additional determinant of circulating leptin concentrations. To examine how body fat distribution contributes to insulin sensitivity and how these variables are related to leptin levels, we studied 174 individuals (73 men, 101 women), a priori classified as lean insulin-sensitive (LIS, n = 56), lean insulin-resistant (LIR, n = 61), and obese insulin-resistant (OIR, n = 57) based on their BMI and insulin sensitivity index (SI). Whereas the BMI of the two lean groups did not differ, the SI of the LIR subjects was less than half that of the LIS group. The subcutaneous and intra-abdominal fat areas, determined by computed tomography, were 45 and 70% greater in the LIR subjects (P < 0.001) and 2.5- and 3-fold greater in the OIR group, as compared with the LIS group. Fasting plasma leptin levels were moderately increased in LIR subjects (10.8 ± 7.1 vs. 8.1 ± 6.4 ng/ml in LIS subjects; P < 0.001) and doubled in OIR subjects (21.9 ± 15.5 ng/ml; P < 0.001). Because of the confounding effect of body fat, we examined the relationships between adiposity, insulin sensitivity, and leptin concentrations by multiple regression analysis. Intra-abdominal fat was the best variable predicting insulin sensitivity in both genders and explained 54% of the variance in SI. This inverse relationship was nonlinear (r = -0.688). On the other hand, in both genders, fasting leptin levels were strongly associated with subcutaneous fat area (r = 0.760) but not with intra-abdominal fat. In line with these analyses, when LIS and LIR subjects were matched for subcutaneous fat area, age, and gender, they had similar leptin levels, whereas their intra-abdominal fat and insulin sensitivity remained different. Thus, accumulation of intra-abdominal fat correlates with insulin resistance, whereas subcutaneous fat deposition correlates with circulating leptin levels. We conclude that the concurrent increase in these two metabolically distinct fat compartments is a major explanation for the association between insulin resistance and elevated circulating leptin concentrations in lean and obese subjects.

CiteULike Del.icio.us Digg Reddit Technorati What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:

|
 |

|
 |
 
T. Hayashi, E. J. Boyko, M. J. McNeely, D. L. Leonetti, S. E. Kahn, and W. Y. Fujimoto
Visceral Adiposity, Not Abdominal Subcutaneous Fat Area, Is Associated With an Increase in Future Insulin Resistance in Japanese Americans
Diabetes,
May 1, 2008;
57(5):
1269 - 1275.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
T. M. Wallace, K. M. Utzschneider, J. Tong, D. B. Carr, S. Zraika, D. D. Bankson, R. H. Knopp, and S. E. Kahn
Relationship of Liver Enzymes to Insulin Sensitivity and Intra-Abdominal Fat
Diabetes Care,
October 1, 2007;
30(10):
2673 - 2678.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
K. Azuma, L. K. Heilbronn, J. B. Albu, S. R. Smith, E. Ravussin, D. E. Kelley, and and the Look AHEAD Adipose Research Group
Adipose tissue distribution in relation to insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab,
July 1, 2007;
293(1):
E435 - E442.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
H. B El-Serag, G. A Ergun, J. Pandolfino, S. Fitzgerald, T. Tran, and J. R Kramer
Obesity increases oesophageal acid exposure
Gut,
June 1, 2007;
56(6):
749 - 755.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
E. Nisoli, E. Clementi, M. O. Carruba, and S. Moncada
Defective Mitochondrial Biogenesis: A Hallmark of the High Cardiovascular Risk in the Metabolic Syndrome?
Circ. Res.,
March 30, 2007;
100(6):
795 - 806.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
E. Lin, L. S. Phillips, T. R. Ziegler, B. Schmotzer, K. Wu, L. H. Gu, L. Khaitan, S. A. Lynch, W. E. Torres, C. D. Smith, et al.
Increases in Adiponectin Predict Improved Liver, but Not Peripheral, Insulin Sensitivity in Severely Obese Women During Weight Loss
Diabetes,
March 1, 2007;
56(3):
735 - 742.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
N. McArdle, D. Hillman, L. Beilin, and G. Watts
Metabolic Risk Factors for Vascular Disease in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Matched Controlled Study
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
January 15, 2007;
175(2):
190 - 195.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. Hoenig, K. Thomaseth, M. Waldron, and D. C. Ferguson
Insulin sensitivity, fat distribution, and adipocytokine response to different diets in lean and obese cats before and after weight loss
Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol,
January 1, 2007;
292(1):
R227 - R234.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
K. M. Utzschneider and S. E. Kahn
The Role of Insulin Resistance in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.,
December 1, 2006;
91(12):
4753 - 4761.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. Porte Jr.
Central Regulation of Energy Homeostasis: The Key Role of Insulin
Diabetes,
December 1, 2006;
55(Supplement_2):
S155 - S160.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. J. Hernandez-Morante, F. Milagro, J. A. Gabaldon, J. A. Martinez, S. Zamora, and M. Garaulet
Effect of DHEA-sulfate on adiponectin gene expression in adipose tissue from different fat depots in morbidly obese humans.
Eur. J. Endocrinol.,
October 1, 2006;
155(4):
593 - 600.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. L. Turgeon, M. C. Carr, P. M. Maki, M. E. Mendelsohn, and P. M. Wise
Complex Actions of Sex Steroids in Adipose Tissue, the Cardiovascular System, and Brain: Insights from Basic Science and Clinical Studies
Endocr. Rev.,
October 1, 2006;
27(6):
575 - 605.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. E. Kahn, B. Zinman, S. M. Haffner, M. C. O'Neill, B. G. Kravitz, D. Yu, M. I. Freed, W. H. Herman, R. R. Holman, N. P. Jones, et al.
Obesity is a major determinant of the association of C-reactive protein levels and the metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes,
August 1, 2006;
55(8):
2357 - 2364.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
G. M Reaven
The metabolic syndrome: is this diagnosis necessary?
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition,
June 1, 2006;
83(6):
1237 - 1247.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
K. M. Utzschneider and D. L. Trence
Effectiveness of Gastric Bypass Surgery in a Patient With Familial Partial Lipodystrophy.
Diabetes Care,
June 1, 2006;
29(6):
1380 - 1382.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. J. Clegg, L. M. Brown, S. C. Woods, and S. C. Benoit
Gonadal hormones determine sensitivity to central leptin and insulin.
Diabetes,
April 1, 2006;
55(4):
978 - 987.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
A. Aviv, A. Valdes, J. P. Gardner, R. Swaminathan, M. Kimura, and T. D. Spector
Menopause Modifies the Association of Leukocyte Telomere Length with Insulin Resistance and Inflammation
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.,
February 1, 2006;
91(2):
635 - 640.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
Z. T. Bloomgarden
Inflammation, Atherosclerosis, and Aspects of Insulin Action
Diabetes Care,
September 1, 2005;
28(9):
2312 - 2319.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. Valtuena, F. Numeroso, D. Ardigo, M. Pedrazzoni, L. Franzini, P. M. Piatti, L. Monti, and I. Zavaroni
Relationship between leptin, insulin, body composition and liver steatosis in non-diabetic moderate drinkers with normal transaminase levels
Eur. J. Endocrinol.,
August 1, 2005;
153(2):
283 - 290.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. Porte Jr., D. G. Baskin, and M. W. Schwartz
Insulin Signaling in the Central Nervous System: A Critical Role in Metabolic Homeostasis and Disease From C. elegans to Humans
Diabetes,
May 1, 2005;
54(5):
1264 - 1276.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. Tong, W. Y. Fujimoto, S. E. Kahn, D. S. Weigle, M. J. McNeely, D. L. Leonetti, J. B. Shofer, and E. J. Boyko
Insulin, C-Peptide, and Leptin Concentrations Predict Increased Visceral Adiposity at 5- and 10-Year Follow-Ups in Nondiabetic Japanese Americans
Diabetes,
April 1, 2005;
54(4):
985 - 990.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M.-E. Piche, S. J. Weisnagel, L. Corneau, A. Nadeau, J. Bergeron, and S. Lemieux
Contribution of Abdominal Visceral Obesity and Insulin Resistance to the Cardiovascular Risk Profile of Postmenopausal Women
Diabetes,
March 1, 2005;
54(3):
770 - 777.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
T. W.K. Ng, G. F. Watts, M. S. Farvid, D. C. Chan, and P. H. R. Barrett
Adipocytokines and VLDL Metabolism: Independent Regulatory Effects of Adiponectin, Insulin Resistance, and Fat Compartments on VLDL Apolipoprotein B-100 Kinetics?
Diabetes,
March 1, 2005;
54(3):
795 - 802.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
V. Sepilian and M. Nagamani
Adiponectin Levels in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Severe Insulin Resistance
Reproductive Sciences,
February 1, 2005;
12(2):
129 - 134.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. R. Jacobs Jr. and M. A. Pereira
Physical Activity, Relative Body Weight, and Risk of Death among Women
N. Engl. J. Med.,
December 23, 2004;
351(26):
2753 - 2755.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. P. Bagby
Obesity-Initiated Metabolic Syndrome and the Kidney: A Recipe for Chronic Kidney Disease?
J. Am. Soc. Nephrol.,
November 1, 2004;
15(11):
2775 - 2791.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
E. Arvidsson, N. Viguerie, I. Andersson, C. Verdich, D. Langin, and P. Arner
Effects of Different Hypocaloric Diets on Protein Secretion From Adipose Tissue of Obese Women
Diabetes,
August 1, 2004;
53(8):
1966 - 1971.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. B. Carr, K. M. Utzschneider, R. L. Hull, K. Kodama, B. M. Retzlaff, J. D. Brunzell, J. B. Shofer, B. E. Fish, R. H. Knopp, and S. E. Kahn
Intra-Abdominal Fat Is a Major Determinant of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III Criteria for the Metabolic Syndrome
Diabetes,
August 1, 2004;
53(8):
2087 - 2094.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
N. Abate, M. Chandalia, P. G. Snell, and S. M. Grundy
Adipose Tissue Metabolites and Insulin Resistance in Nondiabetic Asian Indian Men
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.,
June 1, 2004;
89(6):
2750 - 2755.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
P. J. Havel
Update on Adipocyte Hormones: Regulation of Energy Balance and Carbohydrate/Lipid Metabolism
Diabetes,
February 1, 2004;
53(90001):
S143 - 151.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
Z.-J. ZHANG, Z.-J. YAO, W. LIU, Q. FANG, and G. P. REYNOLDS
Effects of antipsychotics on fat deposition and changes in leptin and insulin levels: Magnetic resonance imaging study of previously untreated people with schizophrenia
The British Journal of Psychiatry,
January 1, 2004;
184(1):
58 - 62.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
A. Gavrila, J. L. Chan, N. Yiannakouris, M. Kontogianni, L. C. Miller, C. Orlova, and C. S. Mantzoros
Serum Adiponectin Levels Are Inversely Associated with Overall and Central Fat Distribution but Are Not Directly Regulated by Acute Fasting or Leptin Administration in Humans: Cross-Sectional and Interventional Studies
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.,
October 1, 2003;
88(10):
4823 - 4831.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
L. Piemonti, G. Calori, A. Mercalli, G. Lattuada, P. Monti, M. P. Garancini, F. Costantino, G. Ruotolo, L. Luzi, and G. Perseghin
Fasting Plasma Leptin, Tumor Necrosis Factor-{alpha} Receptor 2, and Monocyte Chemoattracting Protein 1 Concentration in a Population of Glucose-Tolerant and Glucose-Intolerant Women: Impact on cardiovascular mortality
Diabetes Care,
October 1, 2003;
26(10):
2883 - 2889.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
L. E. Wagenknecht, C. D. Langefeld, A. L. Scherzinger, J. M. Norris, S. M. Haffner, M. F. Saad, and R. N. Bergman
Insulin Sensitivity, Insulin Secretion, and Abdominal Fat: The Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS) Family Study
Diabetes,
October 1, 2003;
52(10):
2490 - 2496.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. J. Murdoch, S. E. Kahn, J. J. Albers, J. D. Brunzell, and J. Q. Purnell
PLTP activity decreases with weight loss: changes in PLTP are associated with changes in subcutaneous fat and FFA but not IAF or insulin sensitivity
J. Lipid Res.,
September 1, 2003;
44(9):
1705 - 1712.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
K. L. Herbst, L. R. Tannock, S. S. Deeb, J. Q. Purnell, J. D. Brunzell, and A. Chait
Kobberling Type of Familial Partial Lipodystrophy: An underrecognized syndrome
Diabetes Care,
June 1, 2003;
26(6):
1819 - 1824.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
T. Hayashi, E. J. Boyko, D. L. Leonetti, M. J. McNeely, L. Newell-Morris, S. E. Kahn, and W. Y. Fujimoto
Visceral Adiposity and the Risk of Impaired Glucose Tolerance: A prospective study among Japanese Americans
Diabetes Care,
March 1, 2003;
26(3):
650 - 655.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. J. Nieves, M. Cnop, B. Retzlaff, C. E. Walden, J. D. Brunzell, R. H. Knopp, and S. E. Kahn
The Atherogenic Lipoprotein Profile Associated With Obesity and Insulin Resistance Is Largely Attributable to Intra-Abdominal Fat
Diabetes,
January 1, 2003;
52(1):
172 - 179.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. A. Hegele, M. E. Kraw, M. R. Ban, B. A. Miskie, M. W. Huff, and H. Cao
Elevated Serum C-Reactive Protein and Free Fatty Acids Among Nondiabetic Carriers of Missense Mutations in the Gene Encoding Lamin A/C (LMNA) With Partial Lipodystrophy
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol.,
January 1, 2003;
23(1):
111 - 116.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. A. Belury, A. Mahon, and S. Banni
The Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Isomer, t10c12-CLA, Is Inversely Associated with Changes in Body Weight and Serum Leptin in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
J. Nutr.,
January 1, 2003;
133(1):
257S - 260.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. Ross, J. Freeman, R. Hudson, and I. Janssen
Abdominal Obesity, Muscle Composition, and Insulin Resistance in Premenopausal Women
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.,
November 1, 2002;
87(11):
5044 - 5051.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|
Copyright © 2002 by the American Diabetes Association.
|
|
| |
|