Horm Metab Res 2025; 57(01): 47-54
DOI: 10.1055/a-2357-2579
Original Article: Endocrine Care
1
Endocrinology, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University,
Kunshan, China
,
Shao Zhong
2
Clinical Nutrition, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University,
Kunshan, China
,
Menghuan Wu
3
Endocrinology, Shanghai Putuo District Liqun Hospital, Shanghai,
China
,
Xuejing Shao
4
Endocrinology, Affiliated Wujin Hospital of Jiangsu University,
Changzhou, China
5
Endocrinology, Wujin Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University,
Changzhou, China
,
Tian Gu
4
Endocrinology, Affiliated Wujin Hospital of Jiangsu University,
Changzhou, China
5
Endocrinology, Wujin Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University,
Changzhou, China
,
Mengjiao Xu
4
Endocrinology, Affiliated Wujin Hospital of Jiangsu University,
Changzhou, China
5
Endocrinology, Wujin Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University,
Changzhou, China
,
Qichao Yang
4
Endocrinology, Affiliated Wujin Hospital of Jiangsu University,
Changzhou, China
5
Endocrinology, Wujin Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University,
Changzhou, China
› Author Affiliations
Fundings
The Young Talent Development Plan of Changzhou Health Commission
| CZQM2022029
The Science and Technology Project of Changzhou Health Commission
| WZ202226
› Further Information
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Abstract
The aim of our study is to explore the relationship between remnant cholesterol
(RC) levels and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in the US adult population. This
cross-sectional study utilized data from 5301 participants aged 20 to 59 years
gathered by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). RC
was determined by deducting both high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c)
and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) from total cholesterol (TC), and
VAT was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Visceral obesity is
defined as a VAT area ≥ 100 cm2. With increasing quartiles of RC
levels, the prevalence of visceral obesity rises (16.51% vs. 36.11% vs. 55.66%
vs. 74.48%, p<0.001). After adjusting for confounders, RC levels positively
correlate with visceral obesity risk (OR=1.039, 95% CI 1.031–1.048, p<0.001).
Additionally, individuals with low LDL-c/high RC and those with high LDL-c/low
RC showed 2.908-fold (95% CI 1.995–4.241) and 1.310-fold (95% CI 1.022–1.680)
higher risk of visceral obesity, respectively, compared to those with low
LDL-c/low RC. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) and Decision Curve
Analysis (DCA) show RC’s superior predictive ability over other lipid markers.
Subgroup analysis showed that the relationship between RC and visceral obesity
was more ronounced in those with cardiovascular disease. Smooth curve fitting
indicated a nonlinear relationship between RC levels and VAT area. Our study
highlights that elevated levels of RC are associated with adverse accumulation
of VAT. However, the causal relationship between RC and visceral obesity
requires additional investigation.
Keywords
remnant cholesterol -
visceral adipose tissue -
visceral obesity -
NHANES -
population-based study -
nonlinear relationship
Publication History
Received: 24 April 2024
Accepted after revision: 18 June 2024
Article published online:
26 July 2024
© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.
Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany
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