Opposite contributions of trunk and leg fat mass with plasma lipase activities: the Hoorn study

OBJECTIVE: Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) are essential in hydrolysis of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. LPL activity is negatively, whereas HL activity is positively, associated with total body fat. We determined the associations of trunk and leg fat mass with plasma LPL and HL activities in a cross-sectional study. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: LPL and HL activities were determined in post-heparin plasma in a sample of 197 men and 209 women, 60 to 87 years of age. A total body DXA scan was performed to determine trunk and leg fat mass. RESULTS: In women, but not in men, trunk fat mass was negatively associated with LPL activity, whereas leg fat mass was positively associated, after mutual adjustment and adjustment for age. Standardized betas (95% confidence interval) for trunk and leg fat mass were -0.24 (-0.41; -0.08) and 0.14 (-0.02; 0.31), respectively (interaction by sex, p = 0.03). Larger trunk fat mass was associated with higher HL activity in men [0.48 (0.28; 0.68)] and women [0.40 (0.24; 0.56)]. A negative association of leg fat mass and HL activity was observed in men, although not statistically significant [-0.13 (-0.33; 0.06)], and in women [-0.28 (-0.38; -0.18)]. DISCUSSION: Abdominal fat is associated with unfavorable and femoral fat with favorable LPL and HL activities in plasma.