MR Quantification of Total Liver Fat in Patients with Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Healthy Subjects

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the correlations between liver fat content and clinical index in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and healthy subjects.Materials and Methods56 subjects were enrolled and each of them underwent upper-abdominal MRI examination that involved a T1 VIBE Dixon sequence. 14 was clinically diagnosed with IGT (collectively as IGT group ) while 42 showed normal glucose tolerance,(collectively as NGT group). NGT group was further divided into NGTFat (BMI≥25, 18 subjects) and NGTLean (BMI<25, 24 subjects). The total liver fat contents was measured and compared with clinical findings and laboratory results in order to determine statistical correlations between these parameters. Differences among IGT, NGTFat and NGTLean groups were evaluated.ResultsFor all the subjects, fat volume fractions (FVFs) ranged from 4.2% to 24.2%, positive correlations was observed with BMI, waist hip ratio(WHR), low density lipoprotein(LDL), fasting plasma insulin(FPI), homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and homeostasis model assessment β(HOMAβ). FVFs of IGT group (p = 0.004) and NGTFat group (p = 0.006) were significantly higher than those of NGTLean group.ConclusionsPeople with higher BMI, WHR and LDL levels tend to have higher liver fat content. Patients with BMI≥25 are more likely to develop IGT. Patients with higher FVF showed higher resistance to insulin, thus obtained a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Intrahepatic fat, abdominal adipose tissues, and metabolic state: magnetic resonance imaging study

“…Finally, although we would be able to address full set of cardiometabolic parameters and MRI-assessed fat depots/deposits, we did not test vascular imaging to address other fat deposits, and an acceptable method for noninvasive continues quantification of hepatic fat. 27 We found differential association between %IHF and abdominal fat subdepots, whereas VAT was positively associated and superficial and deep-SAT were inversely associated with %IHF, beyond abdominal obesity. The 3 abdominal fat layers have different morphological characteristics and functional features.…”

“…Finally, although we would be able to address full set of cardiometabolic parameters and MRI‐assessed fat depots/deposits, we did not test vascular imaging to address cardiovascular disease status. The strengths include a relatively large sample size of MRI for imaging the 3 abdominal fat (sub) depots, other fat deposits, and an acceptable method for noninvasive continues quantification of hepatic fat …”

Noninvasive fat quantification of the liver and pancreas may provide potential biomarkers of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes

“…Furthermore, the Dixon technique can provide an overall view of fat deposition in the internal organs and can assess fat content across the entire liver, rather than only a specific region of interest (ROI). [ 12 ] In recent years, the MR Dixon technique has been used extensively for liver fat content, but few studies have focused on quantitative assessment of fat content in the pancreas. [ 4 , 6 ]…”

Ectopic Fat Deposition on Insulin Sensitivity: Correlation of Hepatocellular Lipid Content andMValue

“…Subjects underwent an upper-abdominal coil MRI (3-Tesla whole-body scanner; SIEMENS 3.0 T MAGNETOM Verio) examination that involved an initial set of localizer images and the T1 volumetric interpolated breath hold examination (VIBE) Dixon sequence to calculate HCL [15]. All subjects were imaged in supine position and carefully instructed to hold breath during end inspiration to ensure consistency among subjects.…”