Association between sonographically measured mesenteric fat thickness and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation in Chinese young male adults

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential correlation between sonographically measured mesenteric fat thickness (MFT) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in a sample of healthy Chinese male young adults. METHODS: Healthy male participants were recruited from Hong Kong Polytechnic University for this prospective observational study. The physical activity readiness questionnaire and ultrasound measurements of carotid intima media thickness were used to screen for clinically healthy subjects. MFT and brachial artery FMD were measured by ultrasound, and body mass index (BMI) was recorded. RESULTS: A total of 34 healthy male subjects, aged 19–26 years (mean ± SD BMI, 21.7 ± 3.2 kg/m(2)) were included. Pearson's correlation coefficient test showed that brachial artery FMD had a statistically significant inverse relationship with BMI and with Log (MFT). Further stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that Log (MFT), and not BMI, was an independent predictor of impaired brachial artery FMD. CONCLUSIONS: Sonographic measurements of MFT were an independent predictor of brachial artery FMD in Chinese male young adults.