Korean J Dermatol.  2014 Dec;52(12):873-879.

Cross-sectional Study of the Relation between Ultraviolet Radiation, Body Fat Distribution, and Metabolism in Health-screening Subjects

• Paek YJ
• Ku SH
• Kwon IH

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The age-associated loss of subcutaneous fat with the accumulation of visceral fat consequently leads to several deleterious health outcomes such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. A recent research has shown that acute ultraviolet (UV) irradiation can reduce subcutaneous fat.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study is to investigate whether chronic UV radiation can reduce subcutaneous fat, increase visceral fat, and lead to additional metabolic changes.
METHODS
We analyzed the abdominal computed tomography images of the 98 subjects attending our health examination center to calculate the amount of subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. Questionnaire surveys were conducted to analyze the degree of daily UV exposure, sunscreen use, and physical activity. Weight, height, blood pressure (BP), liver function test, lipid profiles, and glucose metabolism were also assessed.
RESULTS
In the analysis of covariance adjusted for age, sex, and physical activity, the visceral fat amount in the high UV exposure group was significantly higher than that in the low UV exposure group (p=0.043), and the subcutaneous/total fat ratio in the high UV group was significantly lower than that in the low UV group (p=0.048). The high UV group had higher levels of fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, systolic BP, and diastolic BP than the low UV exposure group (p=0.039, 0.012, 0.004, and 0.002, respectively).
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that chronic UV radiation could change body fat distribution and lead to additional changes, including changes in glucose metabolism and BP.

Keyword

Ultraviolet radiation; Subcutaneous fat; Visceral fat

MeSH Terms

Blood Pressure
Body Fat Distribution*
Cross-Sectional Studies*
Dyslipidemias
Fasting
Glucose
Homeostasis
Insulin
Insulin Resistance
Intra-Abdominal Fat
Liver Function Tests
Metabolism*
Motor Activity
Subcutaneous Fat
Surveys and Questionnaires
Glucose
Insulin