BACKGROUND: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in males over 40 years old, and the incidence of BPH has a tendency to increase with age. Obesity is state of excessive accumulation of fat in the body that leads to changes in the body's metabolism and endocrine function. Therefore, progression of BPH occurs in the obese state according to many articles. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of obesity indices which correlate with prostate volume. METHODS: The study was carried out in 285 males, who visited a health promotion center and underwent transrectal ultrasonography and abdominal fat computed tomography from April, 2010 to June, 2013. Anthropometric parameters were measured directly and blood samples were obtained in the morning after over eight hours of fasting. The correlation between obesity indices and prostate volume was analyzed. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, prostate volume was positively correlated with BMI (r=0.227, P<0.001), waist circumference (WC) (r=0.151, P=0.011), waist to height ratio (WHtR) (r=0.149, P=0.012), and visceral fat area (VFA) (r=0.157, P=0.008). However prostate volume showed no correlation with subcutaneous fat area (SFA) and visceral to subcutaneous ratio (VSR). WHtR had the largest area under the curve (AUC) for the identification of prostate volume more than 30 mL (AUC=0.595, P=0.017) followed by VFA and BMI in order. CONCLUSION: Prostate volume was positively correlated with BMI, WC, WHtR, and VFA among the obesity indices and WHtR had the largest AUC followed by VFA and BMI in order.
Abdominal Fat ; Area Under Curve ; Fasting ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Male ; Metabolism ; Obesity ; Prostate ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Ultrasonography ; Waist Circumference

BACKGROUND: The age-associated loss of subcutaneous fat with the accumulation of visceral fat consequently leads to several deleterious health outcomes such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. A recent research has shown that acute ultraviolet (UV) irradiation can reduce subcutaneous fat. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study is to investigate whether chronic UV radiation can reduce subcutaneous fat, increase visceral fat, and lead to additional metabolic changes. METHODS: We analyzed the abdominal computed tomography images of the 98 subjects attending our health examination center to calculate the amount of subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. Questionnaire surveys were conducted to analyze the degree of daily UV exposure, sunscreen use, and physical activity. Weight, height, blood pressure (BP), liver function test, lipid profiles, and glucose metabolism were also assessed. RESULTS: In the analysis of covariance adjusted for age, sex, and physical activity, the visceral fat amount in the high UV exposure group was significantly higher than that in the low UV exposure group (p=0.043), and the subcutaneous/total fat ratio in the high UV group was significantly lower than that in the low UV group (p=0.048). The high UV group had higher levels of fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, systolic BP, and diastolic BP than the low UV exposure group (p=0.039, 0.012, 0.004, and 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that chronic UV radiation could change body fat distribution and lead to additional changes, including changes in glucose metabolism and BP.
Blood Pressure ; Body Fat Distribution* ; Cross-Sectional Studies* ; Dyslipidemias ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Homeostasis ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Liver Function Tests ; Metabolism* ; Motor Activity ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: Association of low intake of calcium (Ca) and inadequate vitamin D (VD) status with higher prevalence rates of obesity has been reported. This study was conducted in order to investigate the effects of different levels of whey Ca and VD intake on lipid metabolism in growing rats. METHODS: A total of 56 five-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into seven groups and fed for five weeks. Ca groups were divided into three levels, low, normal, and high (0.25%, 0.5%, 1%). VD subgroups in the low and high Ca groups were divided into three levels, low, normal, and high (10 IU, 1,000 IU, and 5,000 IU). The effects of Ca and VD on each group were evaluated by two way ANOVA. RESULTS: Significantly higher amounts of abdominal fat, visceral fat, and epididymal fat were observed in the Low-Ca groups than in the Normal-Ca and High-Ca groups. Serum leptin levels of Low-Ca groups were higher than those of Normal-Ca and High-Ca groups. The highest serum parathyroid hormone concentration was observed in the low Ca.low VD group. The levels of serum 25(OH)D were significantly increased with increasing dietary VD levels. Significantly higher serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol were observed in the low Ca groups than in the normal Ca and high Ca groups. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that low calcium intake increased serum lipid level and body fat amount.
Abdominal Fat ; Adipose Tissue ; Animals ; Calcium* ; Cholesterol ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Leptin ; Lipid Metabolism* ; Male ; Obesity ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Prevalence ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Triglycerides ; Vitamin D*

Obesity is characterized by abnormal and excessive adipose tissue accumulated in the body. Compared with peripheral obesity (the accumulation of subcutaneous adipose tissue), abdominal obesity (the accumulation of visceral adipose tissue) is associated with increased risk of the metabolic syndrome, such as diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and dyslipidemia. Adipose tissue is a highly heterogeneous endocrine organ. Adipose tissue depots differ significantly in anatomy, cell biology, glucose and lipid metabolism as well as in endocrine regulation. Visceral adipose tissue has a stronger metabolic activity and secrets a larger amount of free fat acids, adipocytokines, hormones and inflammatory factors, which flux into the liver directly via the hepatic portal vein. These characteristics indicate that visceral adiposity may lead to the metabolic syndrome and thus visceral adipose tissue might be the clinical target for the prevention and treatment of obesity.
Adipose Tissue ; pathology ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; pathology ; Lipid Metabolism ; Metabolic Syndrome ; physiopathology ; Obesity ; physiopathology ; Obesity, Abdominal ; physiopathology ; Subcutaneous Fat ; pathology

Although estrogen is known to play a role in fatty acid metabolism, it remains unclear whether fatty acid oxidation in mature female rats differs from fatty acid oxidation in peri-pubertal young rats. In this study, we measured fatty acid metabolism in the skeletal muscles and livers of 5 and 50 weeks old male and female rats. The rate of palmitate oxidation in the liver and gastrocnemius red in the 50-week-old female rats were elevated as compared to the 5-week-old females, whereas there were no differences in the male rats. The rate of palmitate oxidation in the gastrocnemius red was correlated inversely with intra-abdominal fat mass in the 5-week-old male and female rats, whereas the palmitate oxidation rate was positively correlated with fat mass in the liver and gastrocnemius red in the 50-week-old rats. HOMA-IR and plasma insulin levels were positively correlated with intra-abdominal fat mass in the pooled 50-week-old male and female rats, but this correlation was not apparent in 5-week-old rats. In summary, the rate of fatty acid oxidation measured in the middle-aged adult female rats was significantly higher than those measured in the peri-pubertal young female rats. This difference may be attributed to the influence of ovarian hormones.
Adult* ; Animals ; Estrogens ; Female* ; Humans ; Insulin ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Liver ; Male ; Metabolism ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Plasma ; Rats*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between visceral fat depot and adiponectin level in OLETF rats.

METHODSTwenty male OLETF rats and 10 male Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats were subjected to regular oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The rats were sacrificed at the ages of 8, 32 and 40 weeks for measurements of the body weight, blood glucose, blood lipid level, blood insulin, and weight of the visceral fat.

RESULTSCompared with LETO rats, OLETF rats had significantly higher body weight and visceral fat with impaired glucose tolerance (P<0.05). OLETF rats also had higher blood insulin, TG, FFA and CHOL levels (P<0.05). The plasma adiponectin level was significantly lower in OLETF rats than in LETO rats at different ages (P<0.05). The adiponectin mRNA level in the adipose tissue of OLETF rats was comparable with that in LETO rats, but significantly decreased at 32 and 40 weeks of age (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONPlasma adiponectin level is significantly correlated to insulin sensitivity and visceral fat depots in OLETF rats, but a lowered APN mRNA expression level is not the main reason for a decreased plasma adiponectin level in the early stage.

Adiponectin ; blood ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Insulin Resistance ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred OLETF

BACKGROUND: Aerobic exercise can effectively reduce visceral fat. However, few studies have examined the effect of daily physical activity on obesity and cardiopulmonary function in the subjects with diabetes. We examined the effect of moderate intensity of walking in obese diabetes patients by monitoring of daily activity and measuring the change in abdominal fat area, muscle are and maximal muscle strength. METHODS: We randomly assigned 27 obese women with type 2 diabetes to an aerobic exercise group (AG, n = 13) and control group (CG, n = 14). The AG performed moderate intensity walking for 60 minutes per exercise, 5 times per week, and for 12 weeks. The activity energy expenditure was monitored by a multi-record accelerometer. The CG maintained routine daily activities. At the time of the initiation of the study and after 12 weeks of exercise, the aerobic exercise capacity was assessed using oxygen consumption rate at anaerobic threshold (VO2-AT). The abdominal fat area and the quadriceps muscle area were measured by computed tomography, and the maximum muscle strength of the upper and lower limbs was measured by a chest press and a leg press, respectively. RESULTS: The mean age of the study subjects was 56.6 +/- 8.0 years, the mean duration of diabetes was 6.3 +/- 6.0 years, and the body weight index (BMI) was 27.3 +/- 2.7 kg/m2. The BMI of the AG was significantly decreased (P = 0.003). In the AG, the visceral fat area and subcutaneous fat area were also significantly decreased (P = 0.018 and P < 0.001, respectively) but not in CG. VO2-AT of the AG was significantly improved, while that of the CG did not change (P = 0.009 and P = 0.115, respectively). The quadriceps muscle mass and the maximal muscle strength of the AG did not change, however, the CG showed a significant decrease. Duration of moderate intensity exercise was correlated with the decrease in total abdominal fat area (r = -0.484; P = 0.011) and that of high intensity exercise was correlated with improvement of cardiopulmonary function (r = 0.414; P = 0.032). CONCLUSION: Daily moderate intensity aerobic exercise is effective at reducing abdominal fat mass, while high intensity exercise improves cardiopulmonary function.
Abdominal Fat ; Anaerobic Threshold ; Body Weight ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Energy Metabolism ; Exercise ; Female ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Leg ; Lower Extremity ; Motor Activity ; Muscle Strength ; Muscles ; Obesity ; Oxygen Consumption ; Quadriceps Muscle ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Thigh ; Thorax ; Walking

BACKGROUND: Aerobic exercise can effectively reduce visceral fat. However, few studies have examined the effect of daily physical activity on obesity and cardiopulmonary function in the subjects with diabetes. We examined the effect of moderate intensity of walking in obese diabetes patients by monitoring of daily activity and measuring the change in abdominal fat area, muscle are and maximal muscle strength. METHODS: We randomly assigned 27 obese women with type 2 diabetes to an aerobic exercise group (AG, n = 13) and control group (CG, n = 14). The AG performed moderate intensity walking for 60 minutes per exercise, 5 times per week, and for 12 weeks. The activity energy expenditure was monitored by a multi-record accelerometer. The CG maintained routine daily activities. At the time of the initiation of the study and after 12 weeks of exercise, the aerobic exercise capacity was assessed using oxygen consumption rate at anaerobic threshold (VO2-AT). The abdominal fat area and the quadriceps muscle area were measured by computed tomography, and the maximum muscle strength of the upper and lower limbs was measured by a chest press and a leg press, respectively. RESULTS: The mean age of the study subjects was 56.6 +/- 8.0 years, the mean duration of diabetes was 6.3 +/- 6.0 years, and the body weight index (BMI) was 27.3 +/- 2.7 kg/m2. The BMI of the AG was significantly decreased (P = 0.003). In the AG, the visceral fat area and subcutaneous fat area were also significantly decreased (P = 0.018 and P < 0.001, respectively) but not in CG. VO2-AT of the AG was significantly improved, while that of the CG did not change (P = 0.009 and P = 0.115, respectively). The quadriceps muscle mass and the maximal muscle strength of the AG did not change, however, the CG showed a significant decrease. Duration of moderate intensity exercise was correlated with the decrease in total abdominal fat area (r = -0.484; P = 0.011) and that of high intensity exercise was correlated with improvement of cardiopulmonary function (r = 0.414; P = 0.032). CONCLUSION: Daily moderate intensity aerobic exercise is effective at reducing abdominal fat mass, while high intensity exercise improves cardiopulmonary function.
Abdominal Fat ; Anaerobic Threshold ; Body Weight ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Energy Metabolism ; Exercise ; Female ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Leg ; Lower Extremity ; Motor Activity ; Muscle Strength ; Muscles ; Obesity ; Oxygen Consumption ; Quadriceps Muscle ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Thigh ; Thorax ; Walking

BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness is an important factor in atherosclerosis. Thus we examined whether aerobic exercise could reduce arterial stiffness in obese women with type 2 diabetes without diabetic complication. METHODS: A total of 35 women with type 2 diabetes (body mass index, 26.6+/-2.8 kg/m2; age, 56.4+/-1.9 years; duration of diabetes, 4.7+/-4.8 years) were assigned to aerobic exercise group (AEG) or control group (CG). AEG completed a 12-week exercise program (3.6 to 5.2 metabolic equivalents, 3 day/week, 60 min/day), with their exercise activities monitored by accelerometers. We measured abdominal total fat area (TFA), visceral fat area (VFA), and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) by computed tomography, insulin sensitivity by insulin tolerance test (K(ITT)), and augmentation index (AIx) by SphygmoCor at baseline and at the end of the 12-week program. RESULTS: The AIx was improved in the AEG compared with the CG (P<0.001). The percent change of AIx had significant correlation with the improvement of physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE), aerobic capacity, TFA, and SFA (r=-0.416, P=0.013; r=0.560, P<0.001; r=0.489, P=0.003; r=0.531, P=0.001, respectively), but not with insulin sensitivity, energy intake, or VFA. CONCLUSION: Improvement in aortic stiffness by aerobic exercise is related with the improvement of aerobic capacity, PAEE, and total fat but not with insulin sensitivity or energy intake in obese women with type 2 diabetes.
Abdominal Fat ; Atherosclerosis ; Diabetes Complications ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Energy Intake ; Energy Metabolism* ; Exercise* ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance* ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Metabolic Equivalent ; Motor Activity* ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Vascular Stiffness*

Obesity is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease in the postmenopausal women, which may be mediated by alteration of blood lipid metabolism. We are aimed to evaluate the effects of low energy diet, restriction of high fat foods and exercise education on weight, fat mass and blood lipid profile. Fifteen postmenopausal obese women were studied. Subjects received detailed advice about how to achieve a reduction of weight by a low-energy diet (1,200 kcal ), restriction of high fat food and increased exercise in every 4 wks during 8 wk. To evaluate the effectiveness for education programs, dietary fat habit and daily nutrient intakes, exercise were tested before and after intervention. An-thropometry, computerized tomography, and blood lipid profile were assessed before and after intervention. According to the nutrition education, energy intake (from 1776.1 +/- 28.2 kcal to 1268.7 +/-115.2 kcal, p <0.001 )and percent of energy from fat (21.9%, p <0.01 )were significantly decreased. However, the index of nutritional quality was over 1.0. On the contrary, exercise (from 341.3 +/-222.1 kcal to 569.4 +/-309.8 kcal, p <0.05 )was increased and dietary fat habit scores (from 30.8 +/-5.2 to 36.1 +/-3.0, p <0.01 )were improved. Also, body weight (4.2%, p <0.001 ), BMI (4.5%, p <0.001 ), body fat mass (3.4%, p <0.05 )and waist to hip ratio (1.1%, p <0.05 )were decreased. Among abdominal fat, visceral fat (26.1%, p <0.05 )and subcutaneous fat (14.8%, p <0.01 )were decreased. But there was no difference in visceral fat to subcutaneous fat ratio. We observed HDL-cholesterol increase (11.7%, p <0.05 ), triglyceride reduction (14.8%, p <0.05 )and atherogenic index improvement (from 2.7 +/-0.7 to 2.3 +/-0.7, p <0.05 ). However, there was no change in LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol. Theses results showed that low energy diet, restriction of high fat foods and exercise education could result in reduction of body weight, fat mass, visceral and subcutaneous fat, and in improvement of blood lipid profile in the postmenopausal obese women.
Abdominal Fat ; Adipose Tissue ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Diet ; Dietary Fats ; Education* ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Lipid Metabolism ; Nutritive Value ; Obesity ; Risk Factors ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Triglycerides ; Waist-Hip Ratio