Decreased Intermuscular Adipose Tissue due to Caloric Restriction in Obese Korean Women

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effects of caloric restriction on thigh intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) and the associations of IMAT and metabolic risk factors. METHODS: Thirty-three obese Korean women (BMI 27.2+/-2.5 kg/m2; 32.3+/-8.7 years) were tested before and after 12 weeks of 354.7 kcal/day dietary caloric restriction waist circumference (WC); %fat according to bioimpedence; subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT); visceral adipose tissue (VAT); IMAT using single-slice CT scans at the levels of L4/L5 and mid-thigh (midpoint between the anterior iliac crest and patella); fasting levels of leptin, glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total-C, LDL-C, HDL-C, and HOMA-IR. Paired t-test and Spearman correlation analysis were performed. RESULTS: WC, %fat, leptin, glucose, total-C, abdominal SAT and VAT, and mid-thigh IMAT decreased (P<0.05), and %change in mid-thigh IMAT correlated with %change in HOMA-IR (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Caloric restriction decreased the mid-thigh IMAT in obese Korean women, which may be correlated with reduction of metabolic risk.