Background: Obesity is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. A direct effect of isolated obesity on cardiac function is not well established. Objective: To determine the direct effect of different grades of isolated obesity on echocardiographic indices of systolic and diastolic left ventricular function. Methods: 48 obese and 25 normal weight women were studied. They had no other pathological conditions. Obesity was classed as slight (n = 17; body mass index (BMI) 25-29.9 kg/m

Background:Abdominal obesity is associated with coronary risk, although causality is not well established. Objective: In an obese Mediterranean population, we measured the fatty acid composition of adipose tissue, its relation with dietary fatty acids and central fat deposition, and its influence on plasma lipids and insulin. Design: Adipose tissue samples were obtained from 84 obese patients (29 men, 55 women) aged 30-70 y (body mass index, in kg/m 2 : 27-35). We measured concentrations of insulin and lipids in plasma and fatty acids in subcutaneous, omental, and perivisceral fat. Dietary fatty acid intake was assessed with a 7-d diet record. Results: The population studied was normolipidemic and normoinsulinemic. There were important differences in fatty acid composition between tissue sites: saturated fatty acids were higher and monounsaturated fatty acids were lower in perivisceral than in subcutaneous fat (P < 0.05). Significant correlations were found for oleic, linoleic, ␣-linolenic, and total nϪ6 polyunsaturated fatty acids between the subject's habitual diet and adipose tissue composition. Oleic and nϪ3 fatty acids from adipose regions were negatively correlated with apolipoprotein B and triacylglycerols; adipose tissue 22:1nϪ9, 20:2nϪ6, stearic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid were positively correlated with HDL and apolipoprotein A; and adipose tissue myristic acid was negatively correlated with apolipoprotein A (P < 0.05). Central obesity was positively associated with nϪ6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and inversely associated with monounsaturated fatty acids and nϪ3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in adipose tissue (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The differences found in the composition and metabolism of perivisceral, omental, and subcutaneous fats may indicate that their atherogenic capacities also differ.Am J Clin Nutr 2001;74:585-91.

Objective: To discuss present knowledge about adiponectin hormone. Design: Review of existing literature. Setting and results: Adiponectin is one of the most interesting cytokines associated with obesity, although its physiological role remains to be fully clarified. Adiponectin is a 247-amino acid protein that contains four differentiable domains. Contrary to most adipose-related cytokines, adiponectin levels are surprisingly lower in obese than in lean humans. Women have been found to have significantly higher adiponectin plasma concentrations than men. Further research is needed in order to identify new polymorphisms which contribute to explain the potential role of adiponectin in obesity and related pathologies.Considering the anti-inflammatory properties of adiponectin and the fact that it is negatively associated with adiposity, this cytokine could be one of the links between obesity and inflammation. The main mechanisms of action of adiponectin are directed to a protective role against atherogenic and insulin resistance processes. Research has revealed interesting new functions far beyond metabolism, such as immunity, cancer and bone formation.Contrary to all adipose-related proteins, adiponectin decreases with obesity. Most of the contradictory data surrounding adiponectin are related to plasma values and their relationship with body fat, gender differences and insulin resistance. There are important confounding results regarding the mechanisms of action and functions of adiponectin, especially in relation to insulin resistance and inflammation.

Thyroid fine needle aspiration is not useful for differentiating MNG with malignant degeneration from benign MNG, as more than 80% of carcinomas go unnoticed; it provides a sensitivity of 17% for detecting carcinomas, rising to 26% if microcarcinomas are excluded. We therefore suggest that clinical criteria should prevail over FNA.

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