Trunk muscle quality and quantity predict the development of metabolic syndrome and the increase in the number of its components in individuals without metabolic syndrome

Evaluation for Performance of Body Composition Index Based on Quantitative Computed Tomography in the Prediction of Metabolic Syndrome

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the performance of predicting metabolic syndrome (MS) using body composition indices obtained by quantitative computed tomography (QCT). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 4745 adults who underwent QCT examinations at a Chongqing teaching hospital between July 2020 and March 2022. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), total abdominal fat (TAT), abdominal muscle tissue (AMT), and liver fat content (LFC) were measured at the L2-L3 disc level using specialized software, and the skeletal muscle index (SMI) were calculated. The correlations between body composition indicators were analyzed using the Pearson correlation analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and area under the curve (AUC) were used to assess these indicators' predictive potential for MS. Results: VAT and TAT exhibited the best predictive ability for MS, with AUCs of 0.797 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.779-0.815] and 0.794 (95% CI: 0.775-0.812) in males, and 0.811 (95% CI: 0.785-0.836) and 0.802 (95% CI: 0.774-0.830) in females. The AUCs for VAT and TAT were the same but significantly higher than body mass index and other body composition measures. SAT also demonstrated good predictive power in females [AUC = 0.725 (95%CI: 0.692-0.759)] but fair power in males [AUC = 0.6673 (95%CI: 0.650-0.696)]. LFC showed average predictive ability, AMT showed average predictive ability in males but poor ability in females, and SMI had no predictive ability. Correlation analysis revealed a strong correlation between VAT and TAT (males: r = 0.95, females: r = 0.89). SAT was strongly correlated with TAT only in females (r = 0.89). In the male group, the optimal thresholds for VAT and TAT were 207.6 and 318.7 cm2, respectively; in the female group, the optimal thresholds for VAT and TAT were 128.0 and 269.4 cm2, respectively. Conclusions: VAT and TAT are the best predictors of MS. SAT and LFC can also be acceptable to make predictions, whereas AMT can only make predictions of MS in males.

Muscle Quality Index in Morbidly Obesity Patients Related to Metabolic Syndrome Markers and Cardiorespiratory Fitness

BACKGROUND

Muscle quality index (MQI) is an emerging health indicator obtained by dividing handgrip strength by body mass index (BMI) that needs to be studied in morbidly obese patients (defined by BMI ≥ 35 kg/m²).

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between MQI, metabolic syndrome (MetS) markers, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and as a second objective to determine the potential mediation role of MQI in the relationship between abdominal obesity and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in this sample.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 86 severely/morbidly obese patients (age = 41.1 ± 11.9 y, nine men). MQI, metabolic syndrome markers, CRF, and anthropometric parameters were measured. Two groups were developed according to MQI; High-MQI (n = 41) and Low-MQI (n = 45).

RESULTS

The Low-MQI group reported higher abdominal obesity (High-MQI: 0.7 ± 0.1 vs. Low-MQI: 0.8 ± 0.1 WC/height; p = 0.011), SBP (High-MQI: 133.0 ± 17.5 vs. Low-MQI: 140.1 ± 15.1 mmHg; p = 0.048), and lower CRF (High-MQI; 26.3 ± 5.9 vs. Low-MQI; 22.4 ± 6.1 mL/kg/min, p = 0.003) than the High-MQI group. Waist-to-height ratio (β: -0.07, p = 0.011), SBP (β: -18.47, p = 0.001), and CRF (β: 5.21, p = 0.011) were linked to MQI. In a mediation model, the indirect effect confirms that MQI is a partial mediator of the association between abdominal obesity with SBP.

CONCLUSIONS

MQI in morbidly obesity patients reported an inverse association with MetS markers and a positive association with CRF (VO2_max). It mediates the relationship between abdominal obesity and SBP.

Radiological Assessment of Postoperative Paraspinal Muscle Changes After Lumbar Interbody Fusion With or Without Minimally Invasive Techniques

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous pedicle screws (PPS) have the advantage of being able to better preserve the paraspinal muscles when compared with a traditional open approach. However, the nature of changes in postoperative paraspinal muscle after damage by lumbar fusion surgery has remained largely unknown. It is clinically important to clarify and compare changes in paraspinal muscles after the various surgeries.

OBJECTIVE

(1) To determine postoperative changes of muscle density and cross-sectional area using computed tomography (CT), and (2) to compare paraspinal muscle changes after posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with traditional open approaches and minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusions (LLIF) with PPS.

METHODS

We included data from 39 consecutive female patients who underwent open PLIF and 23 consecutive patients who underwent single-staged treatment with LLIF followed by posterior PPS fixation at a single level (L4-5). All patients underwent preoperative, 6 months postoperative, and 1-year postoperative CT imaging. Measurements of the cross-sectional area (CSA) and muscle densities of paraspinal muscles were obtained using regions of interest defined by manual tracing.

RESULTS

We did not find any decrease of CSA in any paraspinal muscles. We did find a decrease of muscle density in the multifidus at 1 year after surgery in patients in the PILF group, but not in those in LLIF/PPS group.

CONCLUSIONS

One year after surgery, a significant postoperative decrease of muscle density of the multifidi was observed only in patients who underwent open PLIF, but not in those who underwent LLIF/PPS.

Association of muscle strength and body mass index with risk factors for metabolic syndrome and its prevalence in Korean adult women

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of muscle strength and BMI (body Mass Index) on Metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors and prevalence in Korean adult women, using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Methods

A total of 3189 Korean adults women participated in the cross-sectional study. Participants were measured BMI, MetS risk factors including waist-circumference (WC), fasting glucose (FG), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and handgrip strength as muscle strength.

Results

As a result ‘high BMI & Low muscle strength’, ‘low BMI & low muscle strength’, and ‘high BMI & high muscle strength’ groups had a significantly higher prevalence of Mets [OR (Odd ratio): 1.49, 95% CI (confidence interval): 1.01 2.20; OR: 5.77, 95% CI: 4.32 7.17; OR: 10.46, 95% CI: 8.05 13.59] than ‘low BMI & high muscle strength’ group; and after adjusting smoking, menstruation status, and drinking rate, the OR were 1.07 (95% CI: 0.71–1.61), 4.89 (95% CI: 3.60–6.55), and 7.38 (95% CI: 5.63–9.68), respectively.

Conclusions

These findings indicated that increasing muscle strength and lowering BMI through regular physical activity and exercise are effective methods to reduce the prevalence of risk factors for Mets.

Distinct associations of intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal visceral adipose tissues with metabolic syndrome and its components

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with adverse outcomes, and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is associated with MS. Recently, VAT has been classified into intraperitoneal VAT (IVAT) and retroperitoneal VAT (RVAT). This study aimed to evaluate the association of IVAT and RVAT with the prevalence of MS or its components.

METHODS

In our cross-sectional study, the prevalence of MS or its components was analyzed in 803 middle-aged Japanese participants. The cross-sectional area of the abdominal adipose tissue was evaluated from an unenhanced computed tomography scan at the third lumbar vertebra, and IVAT or RVAT was analyzed using a specialized software. The areas were normalized for the square of the participants' height in meters and described as the IVAT or RVAT area index.

RESULTS

In age, sex, and BMI adjusted model, the IVAT, or RVAT area index was independently associated with the prevalence of MS. After simultaneous inclusion of IVAT, RVAT, and deep and superficial subcutaneous adipose tissue area indices for multivariate logistic regression analysis, the IVAT area index was found to be independently associated with the prevalence of MS (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.02-1.08) and its components, including waist circumference (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03-1.10), glucose (1.03; 1.01-1.05), triglycerides (1.03; 1.00-1.05), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (1.03; 1.00-1.05), whereas the RVAT area index was not. The RVAT area index was independently associated with the prevalence of component-blood pressure (1.06; 1.02-1.11), whereas the IVAT area index was not.

CONCLUSIONS

IVAT and RVAT are associated differently with the prevalence of MS and its components.

Intraperitoneal, but not retroperitoneal, visceral adipose tissue is associated with diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional, retrospective pilot analysis

AIM

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with adverse outcomes, and visceral adipose tissue (VAT), classified into intraperitoneal VAT (IVAT) and retroperitoneal VAT (RVAT), is associated with insulin resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the association of IVAT and RVAT with the prevalence or incidence of DM.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional, retrospective, cohort study, the prevalence and incidence of DM was analyzed in 803 and 624 middle-aged Japanese participants, respectively. The cross-sectional area of the abdominal adipose tissue was evaluated from an unenhanced computed tomography scan at the third lumbar vertebrae, and the IVAT or RVAT was analyzed using specialized software. The areas were normalized for the square value of the participants' height in meters and described as the IVAT or RVAT area index.

RESULTS

The IVAT area index (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.02-1.07, per 1.0 cm²/m²) or IVAT/RVAT area ratio (1.89; 1.23-2.85, per 1.0) was independently associated with the prevalence of DM, whereas the RVAT area index was not. During a follow-up (mean) of 3.7 years, 30 participants were diagnosed with DM. The IVAT area index (adjusted hazards ratio [HR], 1.02; 95% CI 1.003-1.04, per 1.0 cm²/m²) or IVAT/RVAT area ratio (2.25; 1.40-3.43, per 1.0) was independently associated with the incidence of DM, whereas the RVAT area index was not.

CONCLUSIONS

IVAT, but not RVAT, is associated with the prevalence or incidence of DM.

Risk for cardiovascular disease associated with metabolic syndrome and its components: a 13-year prospective study in the RIVANA cohort

Background

We aimed to investigate the association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its single components with cardiovascular risk and estimated their impact on the prematurity of occurrence of cardiovascular events using rate advancement periods (RAPs).

Methods

We performed prospective analyses among 3976 participants (age range: 35–84, 55% female) in the Vascular Risk in Navarre (RIVANA) Study, a Mediterranean population-based cohort. MetS was defined based on the modified criteria of the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the International Diabetes Federation. The primary endpoint was major cardiovascular event (a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or mortality from cardiovascular causes). Secondary endpoints were incidence of non-fatal myocardial infarction and non-fatal stroke, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for potential confounders, were fitted to evaluate the association between MetS and its single components at baseline with primary and secondary endpoints.

Results

During a median follow-up of 12.8 years (interquartile range, 12.5–13.1), we identified 228 primary endpoint events. MetS was associated with higher risk of incidence of major cardiovascular event, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, but was neither associated with higher risk of myocardial infarction nor stroke. Compared with participants without MetS, the multivariable hazard ratio (95% confidence interval [CI]) among participants with MetS was 1.32 (1.01–1.74) with RAP (95% CI) of 3.23 years (0.03, 6.42) for major cardiovascular event, 1.64 (1.03–2.60) with RAP of 3.73 years (0.02, 7.45) for cardiovascular mortality, and 1.45 (1.17–1.80) with RAP of 3.24 years (1.21, 5.27) for all-cause mortality. The magnitude of the associations of the single components of MetS was similar than the predicted by MetS. Additionally, for each additional trait of MetS, incidence of major cardiovascular event relatively increased by 22% (1.22, 95% CI 1.09–1.36) with RAP of 2.31 years (0.88, 3.74).

Conclusions

MetS was independently associated with CVD risk, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Components of the MetS were associated with similar magnitude of increased CVD, which suggests that MetS was not in excess of the level explained by the presence of its single components. Further research should explore the association of different combinations of the components of MetS with CVD.