Remnant cholesterol, but not low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, is associated with intra‐pancreatic fat deposition

Abstract

AimTo investigate the associations of components of the lipid panel (and its derivatives) with intra‐pancreatic fat deposition (IPFD).MethodsAll participants underwent abdominal magnetic resonance imaging on the same 3.0‐Tesla scanner and IPFD was quantified. Blood samples were collected in the fasted state for analysis of lipid panel components. A series of linear regression analyses was conducted, adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, and liver fat deposition.ResultsA total of 348 participants were included. Remnant cholesterol (P = 0.010) and triglyceride levels (P = 0.008) were positively, and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level (P = 0.001) was negatively, associated with total IPFD in the most adjusted model. Low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol were not significantly associated with total IPFD. Of the lipid panel components investigated, remnant cholesterol explained the greatest proportion (9.9%) of the variance in total IPFD.ConclusionComponents of the lipid panel have different associations with IPFD. This may open up new opportunities for improving outcomes in people at high risk for cardiovascular diseases (who have normal low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol) by reducing IPFD.

Intra‐pancreatic fat is associated with continuous glucose monitoring metrics

“…This cross-sectional study was part of the COSMOS programme 20 and approved by the Health and Disability Ethics Committee of New Zealand (13/STH/182). Residents of Auckland (New Zealand) were eligible to participate in the study if they were at least 18 years of age.…”

Dietary Fibre for the Prevention of Post-Pancreatitis Diabetes Mellitus: A Review of the Literature and Future Research Directions

“…A randomised controlled trial of a diet characterised by whole grains, legumes, and fruits and vegetables, compared with a diet high in refined grains, found that increased intake of dietary fibre leads to higher levels of circulating bile acids in healthy adults [48]. Since cholesterol is the precursor of bile acids, binding with dietary fibre results in increased excretion of bile acids in the form of bile salts [10,49]. As a result, the liver is required to synthesise bile acids using endogenous cholesterol, reducing serum cholesterol levels.…”

“…While it remains to be established conclusively that sustained low-grade inflammation after AP induces novel insulin resistance, recent findings from the longitudinal LACERTA cohort study do indicate that fasting insulin is a significant risk factor for new-onset derangements in glucose metabolism following an attack of AP [122]. Other key factors involved in the pathogenesis of PPDM include intra-pancreatic fat deposition, altered lipid metabolism, and dysfunction of the pancreasgut-brain axis [49,123,124]. Detailed recommendations on the differential diagnosis of PPDM and type 2 diabetes have been published elsewhere [115].…”