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Sonographic measurement of mesenteric fat thickness is a good correlate with cardiovascular risk factors: comparison with subcutaneous and preperitoneal fat thickness, magnetic resonance imaging and anthropometric indexes

International Journal of Obesity volume 27, pages 1267–1273 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Visceral fat, notably mesenteric fat, which is drained by the portal circulation, plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome through increased production of free fatty acids, cytokines and vasoactive peptides. We hypothesize that mesenteric fat thickness as measured by ultrasound scan could explain most of the obesity-related health risk. We explored the relationships between cardiovascular risk factors and abdominal fat as determined by sonographic measurements of thickness of mesenteric, preperitoneal and subcutaneous fat deposits, total abdominal and visceral fat measurement by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and anthropometric indexes.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study.

SUBJECTS: Subjects included 18 healthy men and 19 women (age: 27–61 y, BMI: 19–33.4 kg/m2).

MEASUREMENTS: The maximum thickness of mesenteric, preperitoneal and subcutaneous fat was measured by abdominal ultrasound examination. MRI examinations of whole abdomen and pelvis were performed and the amount of total abdominal and visceral fat was quantified. The body mass index, waist circumference and waist–hip ratio were recorded. Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed by physical examination and blood taking.

RESULTS: Men had more adverse cardiovascular risk profile, higher visceral fat volume and thicker mesenteric fat deposits than women. Among all the investigated obesity indexes, the mesenteric fat thickness showed the highest correlations with total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c and systolic blood pressure in men, and with triglycerides and HbA1c in women. On stepwise multiple regression analysis with different obesity indexes as independent variables, 30–65% of the variances of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-C and HbA1c in men, and triglycerides in women were explained by the mesenteric fat thickness.

CONCLUSION: Compared with sonographic measurement of subcutaneous and preperitoneal fat thickness, MRI measurement of total abdominal and visceral fat and anthropometric indexes, sonographic measurement of mesenteric fat thickness showed better associations with some of the cardiovascular risk factors. It may potentially be a useful tool to evaluate regional distribution of obesity in the assessment of cardiovascular risk.

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks are extended to Dr Yang WT for her expert advice in the initial design of this research study. We also thank Ms Delanda Wong, Yee Mui Lee and Cherry Chiu for their assistance in blood taking.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Organ Imaging, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR

    K H Liu, Y L Chan, W L Kong & M O Kong

  2. Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR

    W B Chan & J C N Chan

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  1. K H Liu
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Correspondence to K H Liu.

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Liu, K., Chan, Y., Chan, W. et al. Sonographic measurement of mesenteric fat thickness is a good correlate with cardiovascular risk factors: comparison with subcutaneous and preperitoneal fat thickness, magnetic resonance imaging and anthropometric indexes. Int J Obes 27, 1267–1273 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802398

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