Relation of triglyceride stores in skeletal muscle cells to central obesity and insulin sensitivity in European and South Asian men (original) (raw)

Abstract

Aims/hypothesis. To compare the relation between intramyocellular lipid content, central obesity and insulin sensitivity in Europeans and South Asians. Methods. Cross-sectional study of 40 South Asian and European non-diabetic men matched for age and body mass index. We measured intramyocellular lipid by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of soleus muscle, insulin sensitivity by the short insulin tolerance test, per cent body fat by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and visceral fat by single-slice computed tomography of the abdomen. Results. South Asians compared with Europeans had a higher mean per cent body fat (26.8 % vs 22.5 %, p = 0.05) and lower insulin sensitivity (mean ± SEM 2.4 ± 0.2 vs 3.4 %/min ± 0.3, p = 0.013). Mean ( ± SEM) intramyocellular lipid content was higher in South Asians than in Europeans (72.1 ± 7.5 vs 53.6 ± 4.9 mmol/kg dry weight, p = 0.046). In Europeans intramyocellular lipid was correlated with per cent body fat (r = 0.50, p = 0.028), waist:hip ratio (r = 0.74, p < 0.001), visceral fat (r = 0.62, p = 0.004) and insulin sensitivity (r = –0.53, p = 0.016). In South Asians intramyocellular lipid was not significantly related to insulin sensitivity or obesity, and the strongest associations of insulin sensitivity were with fasting plasma triglyceride and waist:hip ratio. Conclusion/interpretation. The association of intramyocellular lipid with insulin sensitivity and obesity in Europeans is consistent with the hypothesis that muscle triglyceride mediates the effect of obesity on insulin sensitivity. The absence of a similar relation of insulin sensitivity to intramyocellular lipid in South Asians suggests that other mechanisms underlie the high insulin resistance observed in this group. [Diabetologia (1999) 42: 932–935]

Article PDF

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Epidemiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK, , , , , , GB
    N. G. Forouhi, S. Mullick & P. M. McKeigue
  2. Robert Steiner MRI Unit, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK, , , , , , GB
    G. Jenkinson, E. L. Thomas, S. Mierisova & J. D. Bell
  3. Medical Physics Department, Northwick Park Hospital, Middlesex, UK, , , , , , GB
    U. Bhonsle

Authors

  1. N. G. Forouhi
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  2. G. Jenkinson
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  3. E. L. Thomas
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  4. S. Mullick
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  5. S. Mierisova
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  6. U. Bhonsle
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  7. P. M. McKeigue
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  8. J. D. Bell
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Received: 14 December 1998 and in revised form: 17 March 1999

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Forouhi, N., Jenkinson, G., Thomas, E. et al. Relation of triglyceride stores in skeletal muscle cells to central obesity and insulin sensitivity in European and South Asian men.Diabetologia 42, 932–935 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s001250051250

Download citation