Atherogenecity of LDL and unfavorable adipokine profile in metabolically obese, normal-weight woman

Objective: The relationship of visceral adiposity with adipocytokines and low-density lipoprotein ( LDL) particle distribution and oxidation in Asian metabolically obese, normal-weight ( MONW) individuals has not been evaluated. We aimed to investigate the association between visceral adiposity and adipocytokines and cardiovascular disease ( CVD) risk factors in MONW Korean women with normal glucose tolerance. Methods and Procedures: We examined the metabolic characteristics of 135 non-obese ( BMI < 25 kg/ m(2)) women aged 25 - 64 years. Twenty-five women ( BMI < 25 kg/ m(2) and visceral fat adiposity ( VFA) >= 100 cm(2)) were classified as MONW and 25 women ( BMI < 25 kg/m(2) and VFA < 100 cm(2)), pair-matched for age, weight, height, and menopausal status, as control group. Plasma lipid profiles and adipocytokines were evaluated in these two groups. Results: MONW subjects had higher systolic ( P < 0.05) and diastolic blood pressure ( P < 0.005) and higher concentrations of triacylglycerol ( TG) ( P < 0.005), insulin ( P < 0.01), and free fatty acid ( FFA) ( P < 0.05) than control subjects. There was no significant difference between two groups in LDL-cholesterol ( LDL-C) concentrations; however, MONW subjects had smaller LDL particles ( P < 0.01) and higher concentrations of oxidized LDL ( ox- LDL) ( P < 0.05) compared with controls. Moreover, MONW subjects had higher concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-alpha) ( P < 0.05), interleukin-6 ( IL-6) ( P < 0.05) and leptin ( P < 0.05), and lower plasma adiponectin concentrations ( P < 0.05). Higher intake of saturated fat with lower ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs) to saturated fatty acids ( SFA) and lower fiber intake than normal subjects were found in MONW women. Discussion: We found an unfavorable inflammatory profile and a more atherogenic LDL profile in MONW female subjects even in the absence of a known CVD risk factors. Moreover, MONW consumed more saturated fat and less fiber than the control group.