Visceral fat accumulation determines postprandial lipemic response, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and endothelial dysfunction in nonobese Korean men

Visceral fat has been associated with multiple cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The aim of this study was to identify anthropometrical measures most closely associated with some well-known CVD risk factors. Because most Asians at risk have normal body mass index (BMI) according to Western standards, we studied healthy nonobese Korean males (n = 102; age: 36.5 +/- 0.8 years, BMI: 23.8 +/- 0.2 kg/m(2)). Visceral fat area (VIA) at the fourth lumbar vertebra was associated with increased postprandial triglyceride (TG) response (r = 0.53, P < 0.001) and with plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) (r = 0.36, P < 0.01) and PGF2(alpha). (r = 0.24, P < 0.05). When matched for BMI and age, men with high VIA (HVFA) (greater than or equal to100 cm(2); n = 27) had higher blood pressure (P < 0.01), increased consumption of cigarettes (P < 0.01), and lower ratio of energy expenditure to calorie intake (P < 0.01) as compared with low VIA men (<100 cm(2); n = 27). Men with HVFA showed higher TG, glucose, and insulin responses following fat and oral glucose tolerance tests respectively higher plasma concentrations of MDA (P < 0.001), urinary PGF(2alpha). (P < 0.05), and lymphocytes deoxyribonucleic acid tail moments (P < 0.01). Conversely, HVFA was associated with lower testosterone, insulin-like growth factor-1, and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (P < 0.001). In conclusion, our data indicate that visceral fat accumulation, even in nonobese men, is a major factor contributing to increased CVD risk.-Jang, Y., O. Y. Kim, H.J. Ryu,J. Y. Kim, S. IT Song,J. M. Ordovas, and J. H. Lee. Visceral fat accumulation determines postprandial lipemic response, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and endothelial dysfunction in nonobese Korean men.