Lean mass, and not fat mass, is an independent determinant of carotid intima media thickness in obese subjects. Issue 2 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moreno, María; Puig, Josep; Moreno-Navarrete, José María; Xifra, Gemma; Ortega, Francisco; Ricart, Wifredo; Fernández-Real, José Manuel
• Is Part Of: Atherosclerosis. Volume 243:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 493
• Page End: 498
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Atherosclerosis -- Carotid intima-media thickness -- Lean mass; Arteriosclerosis -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.136
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.09.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9150

Abstract

Abstract: Background and aims: Obesity is an important determinant of increased cardiovascular risk. Increased fat mass has been assumed to constitute the main prominent contributor to changes in carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT). Methods: In 421 consecutive subjects (301 women), c-IMT was evaluated ultrasonographically in 6 independent territories and body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: c-IMT was positively associated with lean body mass in both men (r = 0.328, p = <0.0001) and women (r = 0.268 p = <0.0001) and increased across lean mass quartiles (p = <0.0001 for linear-trend ANOVA). Stepwise linear regression analysis showed that age and lean mass (but not fat mass or traditional cardiovascular risk factors) contributed to 46.2% of c-IMT variance in men (p = <0.0001). Even within obese men, lean mass was an independent contributor to c-IMT variance. Among women, age, lean mass and ultrasensitive CRP levels contributed independently to 47.7% of c-IMT variance (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Lean mass, and not fat mass, might contribute to increase c-IMT in obese patients independently of classical atherosclerotic risk factors. These data reinforce the concept that the increase in metabolically fat-free mass that accompanies the body weight enlargement is closely related to the raise in blood pressure. Highlights: Body composition and c-IMT were evaluated in 421 subjects (301 women). In men, age and lean mass contributed to c-IMT variance but not fat mass. Even within obese men, lean mass was an independent contributor to c-IMT variance. Among women, age, lean mass and ultraCRP levels contributed independently to c-IMT variance.