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Thigh Adipocyte Size is Inversely Related to Energy Intake and Respiratory Quotient in Healthy Women
Author(s) -
Basolo Alessio,
Shah Mujtaba H.,
Parthasarathy Varsha,
Parrington Shan,
Walter Mary,
Votruba Susanne B.,
Krakoff Jonathan,
Piaggi Paolo,
Chang Douglas C.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.22804
Subject(s) - respiratory quotient , medicine , respiratory system , energy expenditure , adipocyte , thigh , sedentary behavior , cardiology , physical therapy , anatomy , obesity , adipose tissue
Objective The relationship between adipocyte size and ad libitum energy intake has not been previously examined. This study hypothesized an inverse relationship between adipocyte size and daily energy intake (DEI). Methods Seventy healthy adults (39 men and 31 women; BMI 30.0 [SD 6.3]) underwent dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry and subcutaneous fat biopsies from the abdomen and thigh. Osmium‐fixed adipocytes were sized with a Coulter counter. Volunteers self‐selected food from a vending machine paradigm as the only source of energy intake over 3 days as inpatients. Volunteers also had 24‐hour respiratory quotient (RQ) measured in a whole‐room indirect calorimeter. Results In women, the large cell peak diameter of the thigh depot was greater than that of the abdominal depot (Δ = +15.8 μm; P < 0.0001). In women, thigh peak diameter was inversely associated with DEI (β = −264.7 kcal/d per 10‐μm difference; P = 0.03) after adjusting for demographics and body composition. The thigh peak diameter in women was associated with 24‐hour RQ ( r = −0.47, P = 0.04) after adjusting for demographics, body composition, and 24‐hour energy balance. These associations did not extend to men or the abdominal depot. Conclusions In women, thigh adipocyte size was associated with reduced DEI and 24‐hour RQ, indicating a special role for thigh fat in women. This depot‐specific sexual dimorphism indicates common regulation of energy intake and adipocyte size in the thigh region of women.