LeeDawson

Fat distribution affects PCOS metabolism regardless of body weight
Source: Fertility and Sterility 2003; 79: 1358-64

Intra-abdominal fat distribution may be important in women with PCOS regardless of whether they are obese.


Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) tend to exhibit abnormal fat distribution even if they are not obese, perhaps indicating an increased risk of metabolic disorders, research indicates.

"Visceral fat accumulation has been reported to be closely related to the development of metabolic disorders, such as glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and abnormal lipid metabolism associated with obesity," explain Dr. Basak Yildirim (Pamukkale University Hospital, Denizli, Turkey) and colleagues.

They used ultrasound to measure subcutaneous and intra-abdominal visceral and preperitoneal fat thickness in 30 nonobese women with PCOS, and a control group of lean women with regular menstrual cycles. Glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, serum hormones, and lipid profiles were also assessed.

The average preperitoneal and visceral fat thickness was significantly greater in the women with PCOS than the controls, and PCOS was associated with glucose intolerance, hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia. Furthermore, preperitoneal and visceral fat thickness correlated positively with triglyceride levels and hyperinsulinemia, and negatively with high-density lipoprotein levels in the women with PCOS.

"These results suggest that visceral fat accumulation may be an early marker of metabolic disorders in nonobese patients with PCOS," Yildirim et al conclude. They propose that ultrasonographic measurement of visceral adipose tissue be added to metabolic screening in such patients.

Posted: 9 July 2003

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