Regional Obesity and Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis in Females: a Non‐human Primate Model

The relationships between regional obesity, atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis risk factors were studied in female cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). In a retrospective necropsy study it was found that females with relatively high central: peripheral fat deposition had three times more extensive coronary artery atherosclerosis. In a second experiment it was found that females with high central fat ratios and females with high levels of whole body obesity were relatively hyperglycemic. In a third experiment it was found that females with relatively high whole body obesity, and females with relatively central fat deposition had higher blood pressures. Females with relatively central fat deposition had higher total and lower high density lipoprotein plasma cholesterol concentrations, and exacerbated coronary artery atherosclerosis. Social subordinates were more likely to exhibit a central fat deposition pattern than dominants. These findings suggest that female cynomolgus macaques may be a potential animal model of the health impact of regional obesity.