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Original Article  |  Open Access  |  14 Sep 2015

Morphometry of subcutaneous fat lobules of the abdomen and its implication in obesity

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Plast Aesthet Res 2015;2:286-9.
10.4103/2347-9264.165443 |  © 2015 Plastic and Aesthetic Research
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Abstract

Aim: The subcutaneous fat in the lower abdomen (LA) is more resistant to resorption when compared to the upper abdomen (UA). Males and females have variability in fat deposition and resorption in the abdominal region. Hence, there could be a difference in morphology of fat cells of these regions. The present study aims to identify the differences in morphology of subcutaneous fat lobules of upper and LA.

Methods: Subcutaneous fat samples were collected from upper and LA of 40 cadavers (33 males and 7 females). The shape, the arrangement and the color of superficial and deep subcutaneous fat lobules were observed. The height and width were recorded for larger fat lobules.

Results: There was a difference in the color, shape, size and arrangement of the fat lobules between the two locations. Height (P = 0.042) and width (P = 0.008) of deep subcutaneous fat of LA were significantly larger than the UA in males while the height of superficial fat (P = 0.016) was significantly larger in LA than the UA in females. Height of the deep fat of UA (P = 0.018) and width of deep fat of the LA (P = 0.020) were significantly larger in females than males.

Conclusion: There was a significant difference in the morphology of the superficial and deep subcutaneous fat based on location and gender of the patient.

Keywords

Abdomen, morphometry, obesity, resorption, subcutaneous fat

Introduction

The development of liposuction and lipectomy in reconstructive surgery has enhanced interest in the study of superficial fascia and subcutaneous fat deposits of abdomen.[1-3] Furthermore, a strong relationship exists between obesity, insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk factors.[4-7]

Subcutaneous tissue constitutes 85% of total adipose tissue mass and visceral fat constitutes the remaining 15%.[8] Subcutaneous fat in adults is called white fat and its quantitative distribution is variable in different sexes.[9,10]

There are two distinct types of subcutaneous fat: superficial and deep.[8] The superficial fat exists between the skin and the superficial fascia whereas the deep fat occupies the area between the superficial fascia and the muscles. Superficial layer is richly vascularized and results in cellulite formation when it is hypertrophied. The deep layer of fat is called Localized fat deposit (LFD) when it is hypertrophied. LFD is excessive bulge producing contour deformity of the region.[11] The subcutaneous fat deposits in lower abdomen (LA) do not get absorbed easily by dieting and exercise, compared to the upper abdomen(UA).

The present study was carried to find the difference in morphology of subcutaneous fat lobules, as an initial step to explore the different re-absorption pattern of deposited fat different location of abdomen and different gender.

Methods

This study included 40 fresh (within 6-10 h after death) adult cadavers (33 males and 7 females) of age varied between 18 and 70 years collected from the Department of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. All cadavers (< 10 h after death) of Body Mass Index more than 19.5 were included in this study. None of the cases had lipodistrophies or any kind of hormonal imbalance that causes abnormal fat accumulation.

This study was approved by the Institutional Human Ethics Committee (IEC 111/2009).

Data collection

Samples of the subcutaneous fat lobules were collected from UA (3 cm above the umbilicus) and LA (3 cm below the umbilicus) at the mid-clavicular line. The shape, arrangement, and color of the superficial and deep subcutaneous fat lobules were observed and recorded. The larger fat lobules (in width and height) in the region under study were identified, and their height and width were noted. The maximum distance between the upper and lower end of the fat lobule was considered as the height while the maximum distance between the anterior and posterior part of the lobule was considered as the width [Figure 1]. The readings of maximum height and width were taken at the accuracy of 10 μm using metal casing Electronic Digital Calipers (series-sc02, Guilin Gunglv measuring instrument Co. Ltd, Guilin, China); and the average of 3 larger lobules was calculated for further analysis.

Morphometry of subcutaneous fat lobules of the abdomen and its implication in obesity

Figure 1. The schematic representation of the measurements of a fat lobule. Height (Ht): the maximum distance between the upper and lower end of the fat lobule; Width (Wt): the maximum distance between the anterior and posterior part of the lobule

Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 15 package. (SPSS, IBM Company) Data was expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and 95% confidence interval. Paired sample t-test was applied for comparing UA and LA parameters in each sex. Independent sample t-test was applied for comparing the parameters between males and females. In addition, Pearson's correlation test was applied to correlate the parameters of the upper and LA. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

There was a difference in the color, shape, size and arrangement of the fat lobules at different locations. Subcutaneous fat of the UA was dark yellowish in color whereas LA subcutaneous fat was yellowish in color and deeper fat lobules were pale yellow [Figure 2].

Morphometry of subcutaneous fat lobules of the abdomen and its implication in obesity

Figure 2. The subcutaneous fat of upper and lower abdomen. Subcutaneous fat of the UA was dark yellowish in color whereas in the LA, subcutaneous fat was yellowish in color. UA: Upper abdomen, LA: Lower abdomen

The fat lobules from superficial layer were elongated and arranged perpendicular to skin. The fat lobules from deeper layers of UA were rounded in shape whereas the fat lobules from LA were elongated and arranged perpendicular to the skin. Most dependent (lowest in standing position) lobules were larger in size (both in height and width).

Height (P = 0.042) and width (P = 0.008) of deep-fat of LA were significantly more than UA in males [Table 1] while the height of superficial fat (P = 0.016) was significantly more in LA than the UA in females [Table 2].

Table 1

Morphometry of subcutaneous fat lobules in males

Parameters (cm)Mean ± SDPaired tP95% CI of difference
Lower abdomenUpper abdomenLowerUpper
Height of superficial subcutaneous fat0.706 ± 0.2130.648 ± 0.1871.3940.173-0.0260.141
Width of superficial subcutaneous fat0.570 ± 0.1680.509 ± 0.1861.9910.055-0.0010.122
Height of deep subcutaneous fat0.824 ± 0.2250.730 ± 0.2272.1170.0420.0030.184
Width of deep subcutaneous fat0.782 ± 0.2220.639 ± 0.24492.8480.0080.0400.244
Table 2

Morphometry of subcutaneous fat lobules in females

Parameters (cm)Mean ± SDPaired tP95% CI of difference
Lower abdomenUpper abdomenLowerUpper
Height of superficial subcutaneous fat0.743 ± 0.2290.600 ± 0.2163.3330.0160.0380.247
Width of superficial subcutaneous fat0.657 ± 0.1710.629 ± 0.2050.6030.569-0.0870.144
Height of deep subcutaneous fat1.014 ± 0.2610.971 ± 0.2690.5280.617-0.1550.241
Width of deep subcutaneous fat1.00 ± 0.1730.771 ± 0.2362.3590.056-0.0080.465

Independent sample t-test was applied to compare the means of width and height of fat lobules-in males and females. The height of deep fat of UA (P = 0.018) and width of deep fat of LA (P = 0.020) were significantly larger in females than males.

Pearson correlation between height (r = 0.403; P = 0.010) and width (r = 0.585; P < 0.01) of the superficial fat of the upper and LA revealed significant (2-tailed) positive correlation. The height (r = 0.491, P = 0.001) of the deep fat of the upper and LA showed a positive correlation while the width (r = 0.301, P = 0.059) of the deep fat of the upper and LA did not show positive correlation.

Discussion

Superficial fat layer is richly vascularized, and when hypertrophied, it is responsible for cellulite. Embryologically it arises from the hypodermis of the integument. Hypertrophy of deep layer of fat is unsightly and called localized fat deposit (LFD). LFDs are often difficult to lose-by exercise and diet.[11]

The superficial layer comprises of tightly packed adipocytes supported by dense fibrous network whereas the deep layer constitutes of loosely arranged adipocytes. Varied blood supply of the two layers was also reported.[12,13] The superficial epigastric arteries (a branch of femoral artery) supply to the superficial layers, veins drain into the femoral veins via the saphenous hiatus. Inferior epigastric and deep circumflex iliac arteries (branches of the external iliac artery) and the superior epigastric artery (a branch of the internal thoracic artery) supplies to the deep layer.[14]

In the present study, the color, shape, size and arrangement of fat lobules were different at different regions of the abdomen and these were in agreement with those reported by Yves.[11] Although authors have mentioned the variability in the measurement (height or width) of the fat lobules, an extensive attempt was not made to study the differences in the superficial and deep fat of the upper and LA.

Current study revealed that the height (0.824 ± 0.225 vs. 0.730 ± 0.227; P = 0.042) and width (0.782 ± 0.222 vs. 0.639 ± 0.2449; P = 0.008) of the deep subcutaneous fat of the LA was significantly more than that in the UA in males. Whereas in females the height of the superficial fat (0.743 ± 0.229 vs. 0.600 ± 0.216; P = 0.016) was significantly larger in the LA than in the UA. [Tables 1 and 2]

The height of deep fat of UA (0.971 ± 0.269 vs. 0.730 ± 0.227; P = 0.018) and width of deep fat of LA (1.00 ± 0.173 vs. 0.782 ± 0.222; P = 0.020) were significantly more in females than males. This may be the reason for an increase in lower abdominal girth with weight gain in females. Our findings thus support observations by Champe and Harvey,[15] He et al.[16] suggested that superficial and deep subcutaneous compartments may differ in the rate of fat deposition, lipolysis or both.

Even though in vivo signals and the pathways regulating lipid metabolism are more complex than those in a controlled in vitro study, the metabolic difference in the superficial and deep compartments may lead to varied rates of gain and loss. This may be due to changes in energy intake or other factors.

Accumulation of subcutaneous fat depicts the normal physiological buffer for high caloric diet with limited physical activity. This acts as a metabolic sink to store excess free fatty acids and glycerol as triglycerides in adipocytes.[17]

Illouz[1] defined the resistant nature (to absorption) of the abdominal LFD and showed that the anatomy of fat lobules and its arrangement differ in different areas of the abdomen. The LFD in the central region of the abdomen is less resistant to resorbtion of fat and is strongly correlated with cardiovascular diseases.[5] The present study on the morphometry of the superficial and deep subcutaneous fat in the upper and lower regions of the abdomen and in males and females reveals a significant difference in morphology of fat cells between the two regions and genders. Further studies are required to correlate anatomical variations with varied behavior of fat in different locations of body and gender types.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

REFERENCES

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6. Gorter PM, Olijhoek JK, van der Graaf Y, Algra A, Rabelink TJ, Visseren FL, SMART Study Group. Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in patients with coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease or abdominal aortic aneurysm. Atherosclerosis 2004;173:363-9.

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8. Klein S, Fontana L, Young VL, Coggan AR, Kilo C, Patterson BW, Mohammed BS. Absence of an effect of liposuction on insulin action and risk factors for coronary heart disease. N Engl J Med 2004;350:2549-57.

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Cite This Article

OAE Style

Pandey AK, Kumar P, Aithal KS, Sushma RK, D'Souza AS. Morphometry of subcutaneous fat lobules of the abdomen and its implication in obesity. Plast Aesthet Res 2015;2:286-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/2347-9264.165443

AMA Style

Pandey AK, Kumar P, Aithal KS, Sushma RK, D'Souza AS. Morphometry of subcutaneous fat lobules of the abdomen and its implication in obesity. Plastic and Aesthetic Research. 2015; 2: 286-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/2347-9264.165443

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pandey, Arvind K, Pramod Kumar, Kodavoor Shrinivas Aithal, Rama Kotian Sushma, Antony Sylvan D'Souza. 2015. "Morphometry of subcutaneous fat lobules of the abdomen and its implication in obesity" Plastic and Aesthetic Research. 2: 286-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/2347-9264.165443

ACS Style

Pandey, AK.; Kumar P.; Aithal KS.; Sushma RK.; D'Souza AS. Morphometry of subcutaneous fat lobules of the abdomen and its implication in obesity. Plast. Aesthet. Res. 2015, 2, 286-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/2347-9264.165443

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