Higher fasting glucose, triglycerides, resting pulse rate and high-sensitivity C reactive protein in adipose insulin-resistant but normal weight young Japanese women

INTRODUCTION: Adipose insulin-resistant but normal weight phenotype has not been reported and hence was characterized in young Japanese women. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Body composition, a broad range of cardiometabolic health and dietary intake were cross-sectionally measured in 166 normal weight young Japanese women. They were grouped into tertile of adipose tissue-insulin resistance (AT-IR) index (fasting insulin×free fatty acids) and analyzed by analysis of variance and then Bonferroni’s multiple comparison procedure. RESULTS: Body mass index averaged <21 kg/m(2) and waist <72 cm, and did not differ among three groups of women. Fasting glucose and triglycerides and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance were higher in the highest compared with the median and lowest AT-IR tertile. However, there was no difference in fat mass and distribution, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and blood pressure. In addition, high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) and resting pulse rate were higher as well. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, fasting glucose (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.18, p=0.012), fasting triglycerides (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.06, p<0.001), resting pulse rate (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.11, p<0.001) and hsCRP (OR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.01 to 5.2, p=0.04) were associated with the high AT-IR tertile. CONCLUSIONS: Adipose insulin-resistant but normal weight phenotype may be associated with increased sympathetic nervous system and low-grade systemic inflammation in addition to glucose and lipid dysmetabolism through mechanisms unrelated to adiposity in young Japanese women.