Human visceral fat in different anthropometric patterns and in diabetes: a morphometric study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cellularity of the adipose tissue and the size of adipocytes in unrelated adults and investigate any correlation between morphometric and anthropometric or clinical variables. STUDY DESIGN: Surgical biopsies of visceral fat (epiploic appendixes) were obtained from the large intestines of 56 patients. A morphometric model was applied to obtain the volume fraction occupied by adipocytes and the size distribution and number in unit volume of the adipocytes. Body mass index (BMI), lifestyle factors, significant body weight variations and clinical disorders (diabetes) were evaluated. RESULTS: Volume fraction occupied by adipocytes and size distribution and number in unit volume of the adipocytes have an opposite trend in underweight, normal and overweight subjects and subjects with referred gain, normal, or loss weight. Regression analysis reveals a significant negative linear relationship between number in unit volume of the adipocytes and BMI and body weight variations. The group of normal patients is characterized by a unimodal size distribution of adipocytes when compared with the group affected by diabetes, who show a likely plurimodal pattern. CONCLUSION: Our observations seem to confirm the hypothesis that hypertrophy, rather than adipose tissue hyperplasia, plays a fundamental role when significant ponderal variations occur in adult life.