Clinical significance of visceral fat reduction through health education in preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease - Lesson from the Amagasaki Visceral Fat Study: A Japanese perspective

Abstract

The metabolic syndrome has received worldwide recognition and is useful clinical aid in early-preventing atherosclerosis. Visceral adiposity is the main component of the metabolic syndrome in Japan, based on ethnic and racial difference in the pattern of adiposity. In the Amagasaki Visceral Fat Study, subjects had undergone annual health check-ups and then received health education by medical personnel. Visceral fat reduction improved hypoadiponectinemia and the number of obesity-related cardiovascular risk factors, and effectively prevented cardiovascular events. The health education that includes voluntary lifestyle modification aimed at reducing visceral fat could be useful in preventing cardiovascular events in the metabolic syndrome.

Plasma leptin concentrations are greater in type II diabetic patients and stimulate monocyte chemotactic peptide-1 synthesis via the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway

“…One plausible, recently proposed mechanism is that factors known as adipocytokines, produced by adipose tissue, directly impact the atherogenic environment of the vessel wall by regulating gene expression and function in endothelial, arterial smooth muscle, and macrophage cells. The reduction of visceral fat mass leads to amelioration of these risk factors and potentially prevents cardiovascular events [15] . Although multiple molecular mechanisms contribute to the development of obesity-related complications, recent data suggest that inflammation, and especially monocytes/macrophages, is a central axis in the pathophysiology of many obesity-related disorders [16] .…”

Cross-sectional and longitudinal study of association between circulating thiobarbituric acid-reacting substance levels and clinicobiochemical parameters in 1,178 middle-aged Japanese men - the Amagasaki Visceral Fat Study

“…In brief, the program emphasized hazards of visceral fat accumulation and multiple cardiovascular risk factors, with the aim of encouraging a scientific understanding of the concept of metabolic syndrome from visceral fat accumulation to the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. We reported previously that this program should be useful in reducing visceral fat accumulation and consequently decrease number of cardiovascular risks, such as glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, high blood pressure [ 10 ], hypoadiponectinemia [ 11 ], and a prevalence of the metabolic syndrome [ 9 ], leading to prevention of cardiovascular events [ 12 , 13 ].…”

The relationship between the effect of matured hop extract and physical activity on reducing body fat: re-analysis of data from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group study

“…A reduction in visceral fat leads to a decrease in risk factors for obesity-related diseases [ 13 – 15 ]. Visceral adiposity is thought to be an important component of metabolic syndrome in Japan [ 32 ], for example, a reduction in visceral fat, attained by education intervention study, improved hypoadiponectinemia and cardiovascular risk factors [ 33 , 34 ]; A weight loss program which included lifestyle modification and adjuvant appetite suppressant is suggested to have a greater effect on visceral fat reduction and, hence, on metabolic syndrome [ 35 ]; Visceral adipose tissue is suggested to be the most important factor in insulin resistance, and daily walking is effective on visceral fat reduction [ 36 ]. These facts indicate that visceral fat reduction has clinical significance.…”