Apolipoprotein B/A-I ratio related to visceral but not to subcutaneous adipose tissue in elderly Swedes

Atherosclerosis. 2010 Aug;211(2):656-9. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2010.03.022. Epub 2010 Mar 27.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether the amount of visceral (VAT) or subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) independently of the other can determine the apolipoprotein (apo)B/A-I ratio.

Methods: VAT and SAT areas were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging in 247 randomly selected 70-year-old men and women who did not use lipid-lowering drugs. Their adipose tissue areas were compared to their apoB and apo A-I levels and to their apoB/A-I ratios.

Results: The VAT area and the gender were significantly related to the apoB/A-I ratio whereas the SAT area was not. There was a positive relationship between the VAT area and the apoB/A-I ratio.

Conclusion: A positive relationship was established between the amount of VAT and the apoB/A-I ratio, whereas there was no relationship between the amount of SAT and the apoB/A-I ratio. This observation supports the notion that VAT is metabolically active.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / pathology
  • Aged
  • Apolipoprotein A-I / metabolism*
  • Apolipoproteins B / metabolism*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intra-Abdominal Fat / pathology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Random Allocation
  • Regression Analysis
  • Sex Factors
  • Subcutaneous Fat / pathology*
  • Sweden

Substances

  • Apolipoprotein A-I
  • Apolipoproteins B