Subcutaneous and Visceral Fat: Relation with Brown Adipose Tissue Activation in Women.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) helps control body weight and is inversely correlated with body fat, but it is unclear whether it is subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) or visceral adipose tissue (VAT) that is related to BAT activation. The presented study aimed to verify the relation of SAT and VAT on BAT activation through infrared thermography (IRT) and cold stimulation in adult women. Forty women were evaluated in body composition and skin temperature (Tskin) acquisition by IRT. Student's independent t-test, Pearson's correlation, and two-way repeated measures ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc were applied. Women with low amounts of SAT and VAT had a significant increase in supraclavicular Tskin (SCVT). Medium negative degrees of linear variation were found before and after cold stimulation between SCVT, SAT and VAT. A significant effect of the moment factor and the group factor on the SCVT between subjects divided into the groups were pointed out. No difference was found in the relation between SAT, VAT, and BAT in adult women, pointing out that both types of fat are equally related. These results can help clinical practice understand clearly, through IRT, that the high accumulation of SAT and VAT can impair the activation of BAT and hinder the loss of weight in women.

Can Dual Infrared-Visual Thermography Provide a More Reliable Diagnosis of Perforator Veins and Reflux Severity?

The accurate identification of perforator veins (PV) in asymptomatic veins that do not meet the criteria established by venous Doppler (VD) is a complex challenge, considered the gold standard in diagnosis, and is operator-dependent. This study explored the potential of dual infrared-visual thermography (IRVT) to identify PV in 99 patients aged 29 to 80 years. IRVT was conducted using a high-definition hyperspectral visual-infrared sensor. The temperature difference (ΔT) between maximum temperature (Tmax) and minimum temperature (Tmin) within the region of interest (ROI) served as an indicator for assessing vascular dysfunction severity. Comparative analysis was performed with VD results obtained using a Doppler ultrasound unit equipped with a 7.5 MHz linear transducer. Significant statistical differences (p < 0.05) in ΔT (Tmax-Tmin) were observed among PV sites categorized by reflux severity: no reflux (ΔT = 1.2 °C), mild reflux (ΔT = 1.8 °C), moderate reflux (ΔT = 2.9 °C), and severe reflux (ΔT = 3.6 °C). This study concludes that IRVT effectively distinguishes varying degrees of vascular reflux severity. IRVT shows promise as a non-invasive, radiation-free tool to enhance PV identification, especially in challenging cases, potentially improving patient outcomes and healthcare management. Further research is required to validate and refine its diagnostic utility.

Comparison of brown adipose tissue activation detected by infrared thermography in men with vs without metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) high density of mitochondria and its thermogenic characteristics promote the dissipation of chemical energy in the form of heat, increasing body caloric expenditure, decreasing plasma levels of lipids and glucose (GL). This makes BAT a potential therapeutic target of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). Position Emission Tomography Scanning (PET-CT) is the gold standard for estimating BAT, but it has several limitations, including high cost and high emission of radiation. On the other hand, Infrared Thermography (IRT) is considered a simpler, cheaper and non-invasive method to detect BAT. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare BAT activation through IRT and cold stimulation in men diagnosed without and with MetS. METHODS: Sample of 124 (35.3 ± 9.4 years old) men was evaluated of body composition, anthropometric measurements and dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) hemodynamics, biochemical tests and body skin temperature acquisition. The Student t-test with subsequent effect size by (d) Cohen and two-way repeated measures ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc comparisons were conducted. Level of significance was p < 0.05. RESULTS: There was significant interaction between group factor (MetS) vs group moment (BAT activation) in supraclavicular skin temperatures right side (maximum (F(1,122) = 10.4, p < 0.002, η2 = 0.062), mean (F(1.122) = 13.0, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.081) and minimal (F(1,122) = 7.9, p < 0.006, η2 = 0.052)) and left side maximum (F(1,122) = 7.7, p < 0.006, η2 = 0.048), mean (F(1.122) = 13.0, p < 0.037, η2 = 0.007) and minimal (F(1,122) = 9.8, p < 0.002, η2 = 0.012)). The MetS risk factor group didn't present significant increase of SCV temperature BAT after cold stimulation. CONCLUSION: Men diagnosed with MetS risk factors seem to activate less BAT, when exposed to cold stimulation, compared to group without MetS risk factor.

Effect of 6 Months of Physical Training on the Physical Fitness of Young Brazilian Army Cadets.

Following the increase in the employment of women in conflicts around the world, the federal government of Brazil enacted a law which determines the participation of women in the military. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of six months of physical training (PT) on the physical fitness of young Brazilian Army cadets to carry out the physical assessments provided in military training. Sixty-eight members of the (19.4 ± 1.0 years) military from the Brazilian Army (BA), with BMI of (23.61 ± 2.17/21.81 ± 2.26) respectively and divided in two groups (men/women) participated in the study. PT was conducted by Manual EB20-MC10.350. Anthropometric measurements and assessment of body composition by dual X-ray absorptiometry were performed. The Student's t test, percentage evolution equation, and Levene test were used. Results showedasignificant increase in anthropometric variables and cardiorespiratory fitness in both groups. Bone health variables and visceral fat presented a significant increase in the malegroup. In terms of muscle fitness handgrip and isometric strength there was no significant variation between the groups and push-up and pull-up there was significant variation between the groups. Percentage evolution was greater in female group. The conclusion shows PT was able to cause beneficial changes, promoting positive improvement in bone health, especially in women. Also, PT was shown to enhance cardiorespiratory capacity, and muscle fitness of the upper limbs in all participants.

Cut-Off Points of Visceral Adipose Tissue Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Military Men.

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) has high metabolic activity and secretes a larger number of adipokines that are related to the inflammatory process. Quantifying VAT could estimate the risk of developing Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). This study was designed to determine the VAT cut-off points assessed by DXA associated with MetS in military men. In total, 270 (37.5 ± 6.9 years) military men from the Brazilian Army (BA) participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements, assessment of body composition by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), hemodynamics and biochemical tests were performed. The Student's t test, independent samples, Person's correlation, ROC curve, Youden Index and positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were used. The MetS prevalence was 27.4%, which means that 74 (38.0 ± 7.3 years) military men had at least three risk factors of MetS present. The cutoff point of VAT with the highest balance between sensitivity (77.0%) and specificity (69.9%) was 1025.0 cm3 (1086.0 g). An area on the ROC curve was 0.801 (p < 0.000), which was very good precision. VAT ≥ 1025.0 cm3 (1086.0 g) is associated with the risk factors of MetS and is, therefore, a predictor of the disease with good indicators of sensitivity and specificity and a robust indicator of MetS.