April - June 2008, Volume 4, Issue 2

Sara? F, Oztekin K, Yildiz S, Saygili F, Tuzun M, Yilma C

Possible association between hormonal status and adipose tissue culture characteristics in obese and non-obese sujects

Acta Endo (Buc) 2008, 4 (2): 151-160
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2008.151

The aim of this study is to investigate the possible association between hormonal status and adipose tissue characteristics in obese and non-obese subjects. Fourteen obese and 15 nonobese premenopausal female patients were enrolled in the study. Stromal vascular cells were isolated and cultured using modified procedures described by Entenmann and Hauner. In the non-obese group, omental SVCs seeded at a density of 4.12?1.1x103/cm2 in 25-cm2 in culture flasks for measuring cell proliferation and subcutaneus SVCs seeded at a density of 2.05?0.76x103/cm2 in 25-cm2 at culture flasks. In the obese group, omental SVCs seeded at a density of 6.11?1.98x103/cm2 in 25-cm2 at culture flasks for measuring cell proliferation and subcutaneous SVCs seeded at a density of 2.94?0.75x103/cm2 in 25-cm2 in culture flasks. Mean GPDH activity levels were significantly higher in SVCs from the omentum in obese compared to those from the omentum in nonobese (651.9?65.7 vs 405.1?60.1 mU/mg protein). However, GPDH activities were similar in SVCs from the subcutaneous SVCs in obese subjects, compared to those from the subcutaneous SVCs in non-obese subjects (303.5?63.2 vs 367.4?73.7 mU/mg protein). In obese group, omental SVCs number was positively correlated with plasma estradiol (E2) (r=0.604, p=0.017), and fasting insulin levels (r=0.843, p=0.01). It was negatively correlated with plasma progesterone (r=-0.793, p=0.006), prolactin (r=-0.655, p=0.008) and free T3 (FT3) levels(r=-0.630, p=0.01). These findings suggest that there are differences in adipose tissue proliferation capacity and metabolic activity between obese and non-obese subjects. In obese group, the number of omental stromal vascular cells was positively correlated with plasma estradiol and insulin levels.

Keywords: adipocyte, hormone, subcutaneous adipose tissue, omentum adipose tissue

Correspondence: Fulden Sara?, M.D. Ege University Hospital, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 5th Floor Bornova, Izmir, 35100, Turkey, Phone/Fax: 90 (232) 373 7701 E-mail: fuldensarac@yahoo.com