Fat to lean mass ratio in spinal cord injury: Possible interplay of components of body composition that may instigate systemic inflammation and metabolic syndrome

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2022 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2022.2111900 · Published: January 1, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Endocrinology Physiology

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to changes in body composition, including neurogenic obesity, characterized by excessive fat accumulation and decreased lean body mass. This study investigates how the ratio of fat mass to lean mass (%FM to %LM) relates to inflammation and metabolic syndrome in individuals with chronic SCI. The study found that the %FM to %LM ratio is a better predictor of systemic inflammation and cardiometabolic disorders than either %FM or %LM alone, suggesting an interplay between these two components.

Study Duration

3 Years

Participants

70 chronic SCI men and women

Evidence Level

Observational, cross-sectional

Key Findings

1
Both higher %FM and lower %LM were associated with markers of inflammation (hs-CRP) and metabolic syndrome.
2
The ratio of %FM to %LM showed the strongest correlation with hs-CRP and a significant relationship with IL-6, indicating its role in systemic inflammation.
3
The %FM to %LM ratio was the best predictor of metabolic syndrome, suggesting an interplay between fat and lean mass in the SCI population.

Research Summary

This study investigated the relationships between body composition (%FM, %LM, and %FM to %LM ratio), inflammatory markers, and metabolic syndrome in individuals with chronic SCI. The results showed that both %FM and %LM are associated with inflammation and metabolic syndrome, but the %FM to %LM ratio was a stronger predictor. The findings suggest that the interplay between fat and lean mass is crucial in predicting systemic inflammation and cardiometabolic disorders in SCI patients.

Practical Implications

Clinical Assessment

The %FM to %LM ratio can be used as a valuable clinical assessment tool to predict the risk of systemic inflammation and metabolic syndrome in individuals with SCI.

Therapeutic Strategies

Therapeutic strategies should focus on maintaining or increasing lean mass in addition to managing fat mass to improve cardiometabolic health in the SCI population.

Further Research

Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying the interplay between fat and lean mass in SCI and its impact on inflammation and metabolic disorders.

Study Limitations

1
The study was an observational cross-sectional study, limiting the ability to infer causality.
2
Lean mass was used as a surrogate for muscle mass, as DXA measures lean mass, including muscle and bone mass.
3
The inflammatory markers were limited to IL-6, TNF-α, and hs-CRP, without measuring anti-inflammatory markers.

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