The effects of liposuction removal of subcutaneous abdominal fat on lipid metabolism are independent of insulin sensitivity in normal-overweight individuals.

Background: Abdominal fat (both visceral and subcutaneous) accumulation is associated with an increased risk of developing insulin resistance. The latter stands as the basis upon which diabetes, hypertension, and atherogenic dyslipidemia tend to build up. Hence, abdominal liposuction (AL) could theoretically hold metabolic benefits. We undertook the present study to assess the effects of AL on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.

Methods: This is a prospective study including 20 healthy volunteers (M2/F18) aged 39.6 +/- 7.7 years old (24-52), body mass index (BMI) = 25.3 +/- 4.7 kg/m(2) (19.8-36) who underwent AL. Before and 4 months after AL, we measured glucose and insulin concentrations, HOMA index [glucose (mM) x IRI (microUI/l)/22.5], free fatty acids (FFA), glycerol, total cholesterol and triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (LDL-c), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol (VLDL-c) and apolipoproteins (apo) B, AI and AII, adiponectin (Adp), and ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP).

Results: Lipo-aspirate averaged 5.494 +/- 5.297 cc (600-19.000). Weight, BMI, and waist circumference decreased significantly 4 months after surgery by 4.6, 4.6 and 5.9%, respectively. There were significant decrements in FFA (-35%, p < 0.0001), glycerol (-63%, p < 0.0005), VLDL-c (-15.2%; p < 0.001), and triglycerides (-21.3%, p < 0.002), an increase in HDL-c (+10%, p < 0.03), Apo AI (+10.1%, p < 0.02), and Apo AII (+11.8%, p < 0.001). Total cholesterol, LDL-c, ApoB, and the LDL-c/ApoB ratio raised by +15% (p < 0.0005), +27.3% (p < 0.000), +15.1% (p < 0.008) and +2.76% (p < 0.008), respectively. Glucose, insulin, the HOMA index, Adp, and CRP were not significantly altered after AL.

Conclusion: AL in healthy normal weight or slightly overweight subjects improves the major lipoprotein components of obesity-associated dyslipidemia. This improvement occurs independent of insulin sensitivity.