Korean J Obes.  2011 Jun;20(2):84-90.

Associations of Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Abdominal Fat Distributions in Obese Korean Women

• Yun KE
• Park HS
• Park CK
• Song YS
• Jang YJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a very potent angiogenic factor expressed and secreted from adipocytes, and VEGF-mediated angiogenesis is necessary for the adipose tissue expansion associated with human obesity. This study investigates the associations of serum VEGF concentration and abdominal fat distributions in obese Korean women.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted in 37 obese women (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2) who visited the obesity clinic in a tertiary health care center (Seoul, Korea). Anthropometric indices were measured and abdominal fat distribution was assessed by computed tomography. Fasting plasma glucose, insulin, lipid profiles, and serum VEGF concentrations were measured.
RESULTS
Serum VEGF concentration significantly correlated with BMI (r = 0.478, P = 0.024) and visceral fat area (r = 0.449, P = 0.036) after adjustment for age. In multivariate linear regression analysis, visceral fat area was independently associated with serum VEGF concentration in the study subjects.
CONCLUSION
The present study shows that visceral fat accumulation is independently associated with elevation of serum VEGF concentrations in obese Korean women. This suggests the intriguing possibility that anti-angiogenic components may reduce visceral fat in obese subjects.

Keyword

VEGF; BMI; Visceral fat accumulation; Obesity

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Fat
Adipocytes
Adipose Tissue
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
Cross-Sectional Studies
Delivery of Health Care
Fasting
Female
Glucose
Humans
Insulin
Intra-Abdominal Fat
Linear Models
Obesity
Plasma
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
Glucose
Insulin
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A