A team of British researchers began an investigation to detect health risks linked to the shape of the gluteus.
The work, directed by Marjola Thanaj from the University of Westminsterwill be presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), which will be held on September 3November 0 to December 4 in Chicago.
“Our work suggests that changes in the shape of the gluteus maximus muscle can act as an early structural marker of metabolic deterioration. Features such as focal thinning or outward bulging, often related to fat accumulation, appear to reflect early structural alterations in the muscle,» he stated. Marjola Thanaj.
What diseases did this study reveal?
The gluteus maximus muscle, the largest muscle in the human body, changes with lifestyle. According to researchers, these variations can be linked to diseases such as osteoporosis o type 2 diabetes.
To advance the research, the team applied a mapping technique that processes magnetic resonance images and creates a 3D anatomical model detailed to improve visualization.
What diseases did this study reveal? Photo: Shutterstock.
What improvements could people with diabetes receive, according to the study
People with diabetes they usually suffer from muscle and bone problemswhich limit your ability to exercise and exacerbate health problems.
According to specialists, the analyzes allow us to observe specific muscle changes in diabetes that had not been demonstrated and guide towards more precise treatments to improve quality of life.
According to a study carried out, people with diabetes detected early can have a better quality of life. Photo: Adobe Stock.
What other research did specialists use?
In addition to analyze 61,290 3D MRI scansresearchers evaluated general data to study 86 different variables and map how they relate to changes in muscle shape.
“In previous studies it was observed all volume or fatThanaj explained. “Here we used the three-dimensional shape to precisely identify where the muscle is changing, and that gave us a much clearer picture.”
3D MRI is key to accurately identifying where the muscles are modified. Photo Shutterstock.With this methodology, the team linked buttock shape patterns higher with factors such as physical activity, frailty, sedentary time and, especially, type 2 diabetes.
The results showed marked differences between men and women:
- in men: The gluteus maximus appeared thinned in specific areas, which generated a more sunken profile. In some areas, the muscle was reduced by up to a quarter.
- In women: The muscle seemed more voluminous, although due to fat infiltration into the tissue and not due to healthy growth.
The relevant thing was not the size of the gluteus, but its internal structure. According to the authors, these shape changes can act as early markers of metabolic riskeven before total volume loss is noticed or obvious symptoms arise.
“We detected localized weight loss in men long before the overall volume decreased,” said the Professor E. Louise Thomasa specialist in metabolic imaging at the University of Westminster.
