Abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue accumulation is positively correlated with hepatic steatosis in Sprague-Dawley rats

Abstract

The precise roles of visceral (VAT) or subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) on hepatic fat accumulation have not been fully elucidated. In this report, we examined the correlation between VAT or SAT volume and severity of hepatic fat accumulation. In the present study, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed a standard diet containing 10% fat or a high-fat diet containing 45% or 60% fat for 16 weeks. Abdominal VAT and SAT volume, as well as fat percentage of the liver were measured by computed tomography (CT). Hepatic triglyceride (TG) content and histopathological findings of hepatic steatosis were also examined. Abdominal SAT weight/body weight ratio was positively and strongly correlated with abdominal VAT weight/body weight ratio. Fat percentage of the liver by CT evaluation, hepatic TG content, and hepatic steatosis score by histopathological evaluation showed positive correlations with one another. Fat percentage of the liver by CT evaluation and hepatic TG content was positively correlated with both the abdominal VAT weight/body weight ratio and SAT weight/body weight ratio, respectively. Furthermore, hepatic TG content was negatively correlated with the abdominal VAT weight/SAT weight ratio. Our data suggest that abdominal SAT accumulation is positively correlated with hepatic steatosis in SD rats, rather than abdominal VAT accumulation. Further investigations are needed in order to clarify the precise mechanisms of SAT and VAT effects on the development of hepatic fat accumulation.