Mechanisms Defending Fat Mass in Humans After Lipectomy

Inclusion Criteria:

• Eligible premenopausal women were between the ages of 18-50 years with a BMI of 22-27 kg/m2 at their maximum body weight and weight stable for at least 3 months. Weight stability was defined as a <5-7% change from the maximum weight over 3-6 months. In addition, participants were non-smokers with no history of glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, liver, kidney and cardiac disease, hypertension, cancer or any other chronic debilitating disorder that might have interfered with a 'normal' lifestyle (nutrition, physical activity). Women on thyroid hormone replacement with a normal TSH were included. Oral contraceptives were acceptable if the woman remained on therapy throughout study participation.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Further exclusions included: reduced-obese, defined as history of obesity and weight loss >10% of maximum body weight, or of liposuction or gastric bypass surgery; evidence of body dysmorphic disorder; taking sex steroids, glucocorticoids, or medications affecting carbohydrate and lipid metabolism; hematocrit, hemoglobin, WBC, platelet count, liver or renal function tests out of the normal range; fasting plasma glucose >110 mg/dL; triglycerides >200 mg/dL; HDL cholesterol <35 mg/dL and LDL cholesterol >160 mg/dL; proteinuria; blood pressure >140/90 mm/Hg; electrocardiogram abnormalities. People with a history of claustrophobia, or who had any placement of metal implants or a history of internal metal fragments were evaluated by the radiologist prior to inclusion.