Fat cell size: obesity and growth hormone deficiency

ABSTRACT

Adipose tissue is a specialized connective tissue that functions as the major storage site for fat in the form of triglycerides. The size of adipose tissue mass is a function of both adipocyte number and size. Eighteen prepubertal obese children aged 10-13 years, fourteen GH deficient children aged 8-14 years, and thirty lean healthy children aged 9-13 years were included in the study. All obese children had a body mass index [BMI] above +3 SDS for age. Abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue samples [100-300mg] were removed and adipocytes were isolated. The adipocyte diameter of 100 cells from each individual was measured under direct microscope and adipocyte size was calculated. Adipocyte volume was larger in obese children 713 +/- 113 p1 than in normal control children 121 +/- 11 p1 [p<0.001]. Adipocyte volume was larger in GH deficient children 441 +/- 87 p1 than in lean healthy control children 121 +/- 11 p1 [p<0.01]. Moreover, adipocyte volume was larger in obese children than in GH deficient children [p<0.05]. The average size and lipid content of subcutaneous adipocytes in GH-deficient patients and obese children is greater than in normal subjects. In conclusion, we found that fat cell size was larger in GH deficient children and obese children than in lean healthy children