Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 80, 2791-2794, Copyright © 1995 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Estimation of body fat and lean tissue distribution by dual energy X- ray absorptiometry and abdominal body fat evaluation by computed tomography in Cushing's disease

BL Wajchenberg, A Bosco, MM Marone, S Levin, M Rocha, AC Lerario, M Nery, J Goldman and B Liberman
Department of Medicine, Hospital das Clinicas, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Body composition determined by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and the abdominal visceral fat component determined by computed tomographic scanning were examined in women with Cushing's disease and compared with those in obese women with the same anthropometric parameters and those in nonobese women. Patients with Cushing's had no increase in total body fat or the trunk region (android) component, but had a higher intraabdominal fat area compared to the obese subjects. The total lean tissue mass was slightly reduced in Cushing's compared to that in the obese subjects due to a significant decrease in the muscle of the legs and arms; the reduced amounts of fat and lean tissue masses in the arms were the most significant findings in hypercortisolism. The body mineral and bone calcium contents were slightly reduced in Cushing's compared to those in the obese controls. Thus, although obese subjects had more fat and lean tissue and mineral masses than their normal weight counterparts, the Cushing's patients, with the same total fat mass and its components (except in the arms) as obese individuals, present total lean tissue and fractions, including body mineral and bone calcium contents, similar to those in nonobese subjects due to the depletion of the protein depots, as seen in hypercortisolism.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. G. Burt, G. Johannsson, A. M. Umpleby, D. J. Chisholm, and K. K. Y. Ho Impact of Growth Hormone and Dehydroepiandrosterone on Protein Metabolism in Glucocorticoid-Treated Patients J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., March 1, 2008; 93(3): 688 - 695. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Gibney, M.-L. Healy, and P. H. Sonksen The Growth Hormone/Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Axis in Exercise and Sport Endocr. Rev., October 1, 2007; 28(6): 603 - 624. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. G. Burt, G. Johannsson, A. M. Umpleby, D. J. Chisholm, and K. K. Y. Ho Impact of Acute and Chronic Low-Dose Glucocorticoids on Protein Metabolism J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 2007; 92(10): 3923 - 3929. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. G. Burt, J. Gibney, and K. K. Y. Ho Protein metabolism in glucocorticoid excess: study in Cushing's syndrome and the effect of treatment Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, May 1, 2007; 292(5): E1426 - E1432. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Misra, K. K. Miller, C. Almazan, M. Worley, D. B. Herzog, and A. Klibanski Hormonal Determinants of Regional Body Composition in Adolescent Girls with Anorexia Nervosa and Controls J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2005; 90(5): 2580 - 2587. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Blanchette, K. Blouin, C. Richard, P. Dupont, V. Luu-The, and A. Tchernof Expression and Activity of 20{alpha}-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase (AKR1C1) in Abdominal Subcutaneous and Omental Adipose Tissue in Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2005; 90(1): 264 - 270. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Kok, S. W. Kok, M. M. Buijs, J. J. M. Westenberg, F. Roelfsema, M. Frolich, M. P. M. Stokkel, A. E. Meinders, and H. Pijl Enhanced circadian ACTH release in obese premenopausal women: reversal by short-term acipimox treatment Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, November 1, 2004; 287(5): E848 - E856. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. H. Thakore Metabolic disturbance in first-episode schizophrenia The British Journal of Psychiatry, April 1, 2004; 184(47): s76 - s79. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Ueland, C. Kristo, K. Godang, P. Aukrust, and J. Bollerslev Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Is Associated with Fat Distribution in Endogenous Cushing's Syndrome: A Longitudinal Study J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 2003; 88(4): 1492 - 1496. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. C.M. Ryan, P. Collins, and J. H. Thakore Impaired Fasting Glucose Tolerance in First-Episode, Drug-Naive Patients With Schizophrenia Am J Psychiatry, February 1, 2003; 160(2): 284 - 289. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. B. Djurhuus, C. H. Gravholt, S. Nielsen, A. Mengel, J. S. Christiansen, O. E. Schmitz, and N. Moller Effects of cortisol on lipolysis and regional interstitial glycerol levels in humans Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, July 1, 2002; 283(1): E172 - E177. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Pirlich, H. Biering, H. Gerl, M. Ventz, B. Schmidt, S. Ertl, and H. Lochs Loss of Body Cell Mass in Cushing's Syndrome: Effect of Treatment J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., March 1, 2002; 87(3): 1078 - 1084. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. G. M. Garrapa, P. Pantanetti, G. Arnaldi, F. Mantero, and E. Faloia Body Composition and Metabolic Features in Women with Adrenal Incidentaloma or Cushing's Syndrome J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2001; 86(11): 5301 - 5306. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. C Seidell, L. Perusse, J.-P. Despres, and C. Bouchard Waist and hip circumferences have independent and opposite effects on cardiovascular disease risk factors: the Quebec Family Study Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2001; 74(3): 315 - 321. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				G. Osella, G. Reimondo, P. Peretti, A. Alì, P. Paccotti, A. Angeli, and M. Terzolo The Patients with Incidentally Discovered Adrenal Adenoma (Incidentaloma) Are Not at Increased Risk of Osteoporosis J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 2001; 86(2): 604 - 607. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				B. L. Wajchenberg Subcutaneous and Visceral Adipose Tissue: Their Relation to the Metabolic Syndrome Endocr. Rev., December 1, 2000; 21(6): 697 - 738. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				S. A. G. Kemink, J. T. M. Frijns, A. R. M. M. Hermus, G. F. F. M. Pieters, A. G. H. Smals, and W. D. Van Marken Lichtenbelt Body Composition Determined by Six Different Methods in Women Bilaterally Adrenalectomized for Treatment of Cushing's Disease J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 1999; 84(11): 3991 - 3999. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				M. Weise, V. Abad, R. V. Considine, L. Nieman, and K. I. Rother Leptin Secretion in Cushing's Syndrome: Preservation of Diurnal Rhythm and Absent Response to Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 1999; 84(6): 2075 - 2079. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				A. Garg, R. M. Peshock, and J. L. Fleckenstein Adipose Tissue Distribution Pattern in Patients with Familial Partial Lipodystrophy (Dunnigan Variety) J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 1999; 84(1): 170 - 174. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				A. Widjaja, T. H. Schürmeyer, A. Von Zur Mühlen, and G. Brabant Determinants of Serum Leptin Levels in Cushing's Syndrome J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 1998; 83(2): 600 - 603. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J. S. Samra, M. L. Clark, S. M. Humphreys, I. A. MacDonald, P. A. Bannister, and K. N. Frayn Effects of Physiological Hypercortisolemia on the Regulation of Lipolysis in Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 1998; 83(2): 626 - 631. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				M. Gambacciani, M. Ciaponi, B. Cappagli, L. Piaggesi, L. De Simone, R. Orlandi, and A. R. Genazzani Body Weight, Body Fat Distribution, and Hormonal Replacement Therapy in Early Postmenopausal Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 1997; 82(2): 414 - 417. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]