OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between body fat and beta-cell function in obesity women of Pi-deficiency with phlegm-dampness type (PDPD) and qi-stagnancy with phlegm-blocking type (QSPB).

METHODSSixty women, who had normal blood glucose level and without family history of diabetes, were enrolled. They were classified into non-obesity group and obesity group depending on their body mass index (BMI), and subjects of obesity group were differentiated into the PDPD type and QSPB type according to Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation. The body fat was detected using double energy X-ray absorptiometry, and the beta-cell function was assessed by measuring the acute insulin response (AIR), the under insulin curve area (AUCins), the under glucose curve area (AUCglu), and their ratio (AUCins/AUCglu), through intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT).

RESULTSBMI, body fat and waist circumference (Wf) were higher in obesity subjects than those in non-obesity subjects, but showed no significant difference between the two obesity types. Comparisons between obesity women of different types showed that the fat content of trunk and total body, the ratio of trunk fat/total mass, AIR, AUCins, and AUCins/AUCglu were all higher in QSPB than those in PDPD. AIR, AUCins, AUCins/AUCglu showed good correlation with BMI, Wf, trunk fat and total body fat contents. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated the increasing of trunk fat content was an influencing factor of AIR.

CONCLUSIONObesity women of QSPB type possess higher body fat (especially the trunk fat) content and insulin resistance with high acute insulin response, so clinical intervention should dominantly pay attention to subjects with QSPB type of obesity.