Cortisol secretion in relation to body fat distribution in obese premenopausal women.

• Urinary cortisol output and serum cortisol concentrations were measured in the steady state, under "field" conditions, and during standardized inhibitory and stimulatory tests in premenopausal, obese women, and were analyzed in relation to adipose tissue distribution. Urinary cortisol output was increased under field conditions in women with an elevated waist to hip circumference ratio (WHR) and, in particular, in women with a large abdominal sagittal diameter, indicating visceral fat accumulation. However, dexamethasone inhibition of cortisol secretion was normal. Stimulation with corticotropin analogue and with physical (cold-pressor test) or mental (color-word or mathematic) stress tests also showed elevated responses of serum cortisol, but not of prolactin or growth hormone concentrations. It is suggested that women with visceral fat accumulation have elevated cortisol secretion due to an increased sensitivity along the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and that this may be causing their abnormal fat depot distribution.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adipose Tissue

pathology

Adult

Body Composition

Body Mass Index

Dexamethasone

Female

Hip

pathology

Hormones

blood

Humans

Hydrocortisone

blood

metabolism

Menopause

Obesity

blood

metabolism

pathology

Stress

Psychological

blood

Thorax

pathology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)