RESUMO
Objective To establish a method of measuring adipose content and fat distribution of the thigh in normal glucose tolerance (NGT) subjects,and to investigate its relation to insulin resistance.Methods Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by hyperinsulinemic and euglycemic clamp technique,and femoral adipose content and fat distribution were determined by MRI in 30 individuals with NGT including 15 with normal weight and 15 overweighted or obese subjects.Results Compared to normal weight group,the subscutaneous adipose tissue of thigh (SCAT) [(176.7?21.6) cm~2 vs (115.0?12.8 ) cm~2,P＜0.05],adipose tissue of thigh beneath the fascia (SFAT) [(75.4?4.4 ) cm~2 vs (57.5?4.7 ) cm~2,P＜0.01] and intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) [(28.3?3.2) cm~2 vs (14.5?1.1 ) cm~2,P＜0.01] were greater in overweight/obesity group.Overweight/ obesity group had lower insulin sensitivity( glucose disposal rate under steady state of hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp:4.54?0.43 vs 7.88?0.75,P＜0.01).SFAT and IMAT were significantly correlated with insulin sensitivity.SFAT showed the most marked correlation with insulin sensitivity.Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the increased SFAT played a pivotal role in insulin resistance.Conclusion The adipose content and fat distribution are highly correlated with insulin sensitivity and the adipose tissue of thigh beneath fascia may play the most significant role in insulin sensitivity.