Isocaloric Substitution of Dietary Carbohydrate Intake with Fat Intake and MRI-Determined Total Volumes of Visceral, Subcutaneous and Hepatic Fat Content in Middle-Aged Adults

The present study investigated the association of carbohydrate intake and isocaloric substitution with different types of fat with visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and hepatic fat content as determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Data from 283 participants (mean age 56.1 ± 9.0 years) from the MRI sub study of the KORA FF4 study were included. VAT, SAT and total body fat were quantified by a volume-interpolated VIBE-T1w-Dixon MR sequence. Hepatic fat content was determined as the proton density fat-fraction (PDFF) derived from multiecho-T1w MR sequence. Dietary intake was estimated using information provided by two different instruments, that is, repeated 24-h food lists and a food frequency questionnaire. Replacing total carbohydrates with an isoenergetic amount of total fat was significantly positively associated with VAT and hepatic fat, while there was no significant association with SAT. The multivariable adjusted β-coefficient for replacing 5% of total energy (5E%) carbohydrates with total fat was 0.42 L (95% CI: 0.04, 0.79) for VAT. A substitution in total fat intake by 5E% was associated with a significant increase in liver fat content by 23% (p-value 0.004). If reproduced in prospective studies, such findings would strongly argue for limiting dietary fat intake.

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Association between dietary fat intake and MRI-determined visceral, subcutaneous, or hepatic fat in men and women from the general population

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120006035 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Christa Meisinger ◽

Susanne Rospleszcz ◽

Elke Wintermeyer ◽

Roberto Lorbeer ◽

Barbara Thorand ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adipose Tissue ◽

Total Energy ◽

Dietary Fat ◽

Fat Content ◽

Liver Fat ◽

Fat Intake ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Dietary Fat Intake ◽

Hepatic Fat ◽

Total Fat

AbstractIntroduction:An increase in dietary fat intake - at the expense of dietary carbohydrate intake - may play an important role in the accumulation of adipose tissue at different sites and liver fat accumulation. Thus, the present study investigated the isocaloric substitution of dietary carbohydrates with fat, and its cross-sectional association with visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and hepatic fat content as determined by MRI.Material and Methods:Data from 283 participants (mean age 56.1 ± 9.0 years) from the KORA FF4 study study who underwent whole-body MRI were included. VAT, SAT, and total body fat were quantified by a volume-interpolated VIBE-T1w-Dixon MR sequence. Hepatic fat content was determined as the proton density fat-fraction (PDFF) derived from multiecho-T1w MR sequence. Habitual dietary intake was estimated by combining the information provided by repeated 24-h food lists and a food frequency questionnaire. Cross-sectional associations were analyzed using linear regressions.Results:Carbohydrate intake (in % of total energy intake (E%)) correlated significantly inversely with VAT (r = -0.34) and hepatic fat (r = -0,30), while fat intake (E%) correlated positively with hepatic fat content (r = 0.16). Replacing total carbohydrates with an isocaloric amount of total fat was significantly positively associated with VAT and hepatic fat, while there was no significant association with SAT. The multivariable adjusted β-coefficient for replacing 5 E% carbohydrates with total fat was 0.39 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.76) for VAT. An increase in total fat intake by 5% of total energy was associated with an increase in liver fat content by 24%. Dietary fiber intake was significantly inversely associated with VAT and hepatic lipid content.Discussion:In middle-aged adults, substitution of carbohydrates with total fat was associated with a higher volume of VAT and an increase of hepatic fat, while whole-grain associated carbohydrates show inverse associations. If reproduced in prospective studies, such findings would strongly argue for limiting dietary fat intake.

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Habitual diet in four populations of African origin: a descriptive paper on nutrient intakes in rural and urban Cameroon, Jamaica and Caribbean migrants in Britain

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1079/phn2000117 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 765-772 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Louise I Mennen ◽

Maria Jackson ◽

Sangita Sharma ◽

Jean-Claude N Mbanya ◽

Janet Cade ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saturated Fat ◽

Carbohydrate Intake ◽

Fat Intake ◽

African Origin ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

Habitual Diet ◽

Rural Cameroon ◽

Similar Genetic Background ◽

Total Fat ◽

The Uk

AbstractBackground:The prevalence of chronic diseases is increasing in West Africa, the Caribbean and its migrants to Britain. This trend may be due to the transition in the habitual diet, with increasing (saturated) fat and decreasing fruit and vegetable intakes, both within and between countries.Objective:We have tested this hypothesis by comparing habitual diet in four African-origin populations with a similar genetic background at different stages in this transition.Design:The study populations included subjects from rural Cameroon (n=743), urban Cameroon (n=1042), Jamaica (n=857) and African–Caribbeans in Manchester, UK (n=243), all aged 25–74 years. Habitual diet was assessed by a food-frequency questionnaire, specifically developed for each country separately.Results:Total energy intake was greatest in rural Cameroon and lowest in Manchester for all age/sex groups. A tendency towards the same pattern was seen for carbohydrates, protein and total fat intake. Saturated and polyunsaturated fat intake and alcohol intake were highest in rural Cameroon, and lowest in Jamaica, with the intakes in the UK lower than those in urban Cameroon. The percentage of energy from total fat was higher in rural and urban Cameroon than in Jamaica and the UK for all age/sex groups. The opposite was seen for percentage of energy from carbohydrate intake, the intake being highest in Jamaica and lowest in rural Cameroon. The percentage of energy from protein increased gradually from rural Cameroon to the UK.Conclusions:These results do not support our hypothesis that carbohydrate intake increased, while (saturated) fat intake decreased, from rural Cameroon to the UK.

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Adherence to a plant-based diet in relation to adipose tissue volumes and liver fat content

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.1093/ajcn/nqaa119 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 112 (2) ◽

pp. 354-363

Author(s):

Ilka Ratjen ◽

Jakub Morze ◽

Janna Enderle ◽

Marcus Both ◽

Jan Borggrefe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adipose Tissue ◽

Visceral Adipose Tissue ◽

Fat Distribution ◽

Abdominal Fat ◽

Fat Content ◽

Liver Fat ◽

Healthy Plant ◽

Liver Fat Content ◽

Subcutaneous Abdominal Adipose Tissue ◽

Visceral Adipose

ABSTRACT Background Better adherence to plant-based diets has been linked to lower risk of metabolic diseases but the effect on abdominal fat distribution and liver fat content is unclear. Objectives We aimed to examine the association between different plant-based diet indices and measures of abdominal fat distribution and liver fat content. Methods In a population-based sample of 578 individuals from Northern Germany (57% male, median age 62 y), diet was assessed with a validated FFQ and an overall, a healthy, and an unhealthy plant-based diet index were derived. Participants underwent MRI to assess volumes of visceral and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue and liver signal intensity (LSI), a measure of liver fat content. Fatty liver disease (FLD) was defined as log LSI ≥3.0. Cross-sectional associations of the plant-based diet indices with visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat volumes, LSI, and FLD were assessed in linear and logistic regression analyses. The most comprehensive model adjusted for age, sex, education, smoking, alcohol, physical activity, energy intake, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and BMI. Results Higher overall and healthy plant-based diet indices both revealed statistically significant associations with lower visceral and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue volumes and with lower odds of FLD in multivariable-adjusted models without BMI. Upon additional adjustment for BMI, only the association of the healthy plant-based diet with visceral adipose tissue remained statistically significant (per 10-point higher healthy plant-based diet index, percentage change in visceral adipose tissue: −4.9%, 95% CI: −8.6%, −2.0%). None of the plant-based diet indices was associated with LSI. The unhealthy plant-based diet index was unrelated to any of the abdominal or liver fat parameters. Conclusions Adherence to healthy plant-based diets was associated with lower visceral adipose tissue. None of the other examined associations remained statistically significant after adjustment for BMI.

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Insulin Sensitivity Is Correlated with Subcutaneous but Not Visceral Body Fat in Overweight and Obese Prepubertal Children

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jc.2007-2089 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 93 (6) ◽

pp. 2122-2128 ◽

Cited By ~ 60

Author(s):

Claudio Maffeis ◽

Riccardo Manfredi ◽

Maddalena Trombetta ◽

Silvia Sordelli ◽

Monica Storti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Insulin Sensitivity ◽

Body Fat ◽

Fat Distribution ◽

Fat Content ◽

Liver Fat ◽

P Value ◽

Inflammation Markers ◽

Liver Fat Content ◽

Prepubertal Children

Abstract Aim: Our aim was to explore the relationship between insulin sensitivity, body fat distribution, ectopic (liver and skeletal muscle) fat deposition, adipokines (leptin and adiponectin), and inflammation markers (highly sensitive C-reactive protein, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α) in prepubertal children. Subjects and Methods: Thirty overweight and obese children (16 males and 14 females with body mass index z-score range of 1.1–3.2) were recruited. Body fat distribution and fat accumulation in liver and skeletal muscle were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by iv glucose tolerance test. Results: Insulin sensitivity was associated with sc abdominal adipose tissue (SAT) (r = −0.52; P < 0.01) and liver fat content (r = −0.44; P < 0.02) but not with visceral abdominal adipose tissue (VAT) (r = −0.193; P value not significant) and fat accumulation in skeletal muscle (r = −0.210; P value not significant). Adipokines, but not inflammation markers, were significantly correlated to insulin sensitivity. VAT correlated with C-reactive protein (r = 0.55; P < 0.01) as well as adiponectin (r = −0.53; P <0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed that only SAT and liver fat content were independently correlated to insulin sensitivity (P < 0.01; 20 and 16% of explained variance, respectively). Conclusions: In overweight and moderately obese prepubertal children, insulin sensitivity was negatively correlated with SAT and liver fat content. Furthermore, contrary to adults, VAT and inflammation markers were not correlated with insulin sensitivity in children.

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A phase 2, proof of concept, randomised controlled trial of berberine ursodeoxycholate in patients with presumed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and type 2 diabetes

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-25701-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Stephen A. Harrison ◽

Nadege Gunn ◽

Guy W. Neff ◽

Anita Kohli ◽

Liping Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liver Disease ◽

Glycemic Control ◽

Primary Endpoint ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Fat Content ◽

Liver Fat ◽

Proton Density ◽

Liver Fat Content ◽

Double Blind ◽

Alcoholic Steatohepatitis

AbstractNon-alcoholic steatohepatitis is frequently associated with diabetes and may cause progressive liver disease. Current treatment options are limited. Here we report on a prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of two doses of HTD1801 (berberine ursodeoxycholate, an ionic salt of berberine and ursodeoxycholic acid), versus placebo that was conducted in 100 subjects with fatty liver disease and diabetes (NCT03656744). Treatment was for 18 weeks with a primary endpoint of reduction in liver fat content measured by magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction. Key secondary endpoints included improvement in glycemic control, liver-associated enzymes and safety. The pre-specified primary endpoint was met. Thus, subjects receiving 1000 mg twice a day of berberine ursodeoxycholate had significantly greater reduction in liver fat content than in placebo recipients (mean absolute decrease −4.8% vs. −2.0% (p = 0.011). Compared to placebo, subjects receiving this dose also experienced significant improvement in glycemic control as well as reductions in liver-associated enzymes and significant weight loss. Diarrhea and abdominal discomfort were the most frequently reported adverse events. We conclude that berberine ursodeoxycholate has a broad spectrum of metabolic activity in patients with presumed NASH and diabetes. It is relatively well tolerated and merits further development as a treatment for NASH with diabetes.

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Effect of pilates training on hepatic fat content and liver enzymes in men with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Qazvin

Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences ◽

10.34172/jsums.2020.05 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 22-28 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ziba Keymasi ◽

Abbas Sadeghi ◽

Hassan Pourrazi

Keyword(s):

Liver Enzymes ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Fat Content ◽

Liver Fat ◽

Control Group ◽

Liver Fat Content ◽

Anthropometric Indices ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽

Hepatic Fat ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background and aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is associated with fat accumulation and deposition in liver cells, is a serious risk factor for other diseases such as cardiovascular disorders and diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Pilates training on hepatic fat content and liver enzymes in men with NAFLD in 2019. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 20 men with NAFLD were randomly divided into Pilates training (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. The Pilates group participated in the Pilates training program for eight weeks (three 60-minute sessions per week), whereas the control group engaged in no regular physical activity. The body composition, anthropometric indices, liver fat content, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured before and after the training period. Eventually, data were analyzed using paired and independent t tests at a significance level of 0.05 by SPSS 18. Results: After eight weeks of Pilates training, liver fat content in the Pilates group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P=0.001). Further, the serum levels of ALT, AST, and ALP significantly decreased in the Pilates group compared to the control group (P=0.04, P=0.05, and P=0.02, respectively). In addition, eight weeks of Pilates training significantly reduced body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat percentage, and the waist-to-hip ratio of patients, while no significant changes were observed in the control group. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that Pilates training could be effective in improving liver fat content and reducing the serum levels of ALT, AST, and ALP in men with NAFLD. Furthermore, Pilates training helps to improve body composition and anthropometric indices in patients afflicted with NAFLD and can have a role in the management of this condition.

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Associations of circulating chemerin and adiponectin concentrations with hepatic steatosis

Endocrine Connections ◽

10.1530/ec-19-0300 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 1097-1107 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lena-Maria Levin ◽

Henry Völzke ◽

Markus M Lerch ◽

Jens-Peter Kühn ◽

Matthias Nauck ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatic Steatosis ◽

Liver Enzymes ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Population Based ◽

Fat Content ◽

Liver Fat ◽

Liver Fat Content ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

Underlying Mechanisms

Objective Chemerin and adiponectin are adipokines assumed to be involved in the development of metabolic syndrome-related phenotypes like hepatic steatosis. We aimed to evaluate the associations of circulating chemerin and adiponectin concentrations with liver enzymes, liver fat content, and hepatic steatosis in the general population. Methods Data of 3951 subjects from the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-TREND) were used. Hepatic steatosis was assumed when either a hyperechogenic liver (assessed via ultrasound) or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-quantified liver fat content >5% was present. Adjusted sex-specific quantile and logistic regression models were applied to analyze the associations of chemerin and adiponectin with liver enzymes, liver fat content and hepatic steatosis. Results The observed associations of chemerin and adiponectin with liver enzymes were very divergent depending on sex, fasting status and the specific enzyme. More consistent results were seen in the analyses of these adipokines in relation to MRI-quantified liver fat content. Here, we observed inverse associations to adiponectin in both sexes as well as a positive (men) or U-shaped (women) association to chemerin. Similarly, the MRI-based definition of hepatic steatosis revealed strongly consistent results: in both sexes, high chemerin concentrations were associated with higher odds of hepatic steatosis, whereas high adiponectin concentrations were associated with lower odds. Conclusion Our results suggest a role of these adipokines in the pathogenesis of hepatic steatosis independent of metabolic or inflammatory disorders. However, experimental studies are needed to further clarify the underlying mechanisms and the inter-play between adipokine concentrations and hepatic steatosis.

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Improved Folch Method for Liver-Fat Quantification

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2020.594853 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Author(s):

Ramgopal Mopuri ◽

Mugagga Kalyesubula ◽

Alexander Rosov ◽

Nir Edery ◽

Uzi Moallem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fat Content ◽

Liver Fat ◽

Fat Quantification ◽

Accuracy And Precision ◽

Folch Method ◽

Pregnancy Toxemia ◽

Tissue Lipids ◽

Hepatic Fat ◽

Reported Data ◽

Liver Fat Quantification

Fatty liver represents a significant metabolic pathology of excess intrahepatic fat in domestic animals and humans. Quantification of hepatic-fat content is therefore essential for diagnosis and investigation of liver and metabolic disease. However, the reproducibility of hepatic steatosis analysis is often low due to subjective and technical factors. We hypothesized that improvement in tissue-lipids extraction efficiency would contribute to the accuracy and precision of liver-fat determination. To test it, we investigated the effect of standardized tissue sonication on liver-fat quantification by the Folch method in sheep. Liver samples from grownup lambs of lean (n = 16) and fatty (n = 15) livers, and from pregnant ewes (n = 6) who died from pregnancy toxemia (PT), were used for hepatic-fat content determination with or without tissue sonication. In the grown lambs, an average hepatic-fat content of 6.6% was determined in sonicated compared to 5.1% in non-sonicated specimens (P = 0.0002). Similarly, in ewes with PT, an average of 12.5% was determined with sonication compared to 10.8% without it (P = 0.0006), and the reproducibility was higher with sonication (CV of 3.1 vs. 6.1%, respectively). Thus, tissue sonication improved the efficiency of liver-lipids extraction and was significant to the accuracy and precision of hepatic-fat determination. Enzymatic quantification of triglycerides was moderately correlated with the results obtained gravimetrically (r = 0.632, P < 0.005). The reported data provide reliable reference values for pregnancy toxemic sheep. The significant improvement in liver-fat quantification observed with the reported revised protocol is likely applicable to most mammals and humans.

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Evaluation of Ethnic Variations in Visceral, Subcutaneous, Intra-Pancreatic, and Intra-Hepatic Fat Depositions by Magnetic Resonance Imaging among New Zealanders

Biomedicines ◽

10.3390/biomedicines8060174 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 174

Author(s):

John Zhiyong Yang ◽

Dech Dokpuang ◽

Reza Nemati ◽

Kevin Haokun He ◽

Andy Baige Zheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Adipose Tissue ◽

New Zealand ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Fat Distribution ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Anthropometric Indices ◽

Pancreatic Fat ◽

Hepatic Fat ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri

Anthropometric indices, such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist to height ratio (WHtR), have limitations in accurately predicting the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic syndrome due to ethnic differences in fat distribution. Recent studies showed that the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) deposition and fat content of internal organs, most notably intra-hepatic and intra-pancreatic fat, has emerged as a more important parameter. In this study, we aimed to assess the coordination between the traditional anthropometric indices and the various fat depositions within different ethnicities in New Zealand. We recruited 104 participants with different ethnic backgrounds, including New Zealand Europeans, Māori (the indigenous people of New Zealand), Pacific Islanders (PI), and Asians. Their weight, height, and WC were measured, and subcutaneous, visceral, intra-hepatic, and intra-pancreatic fat depositions were obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The result showed VAT, but not subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) depositions at all levels were significantly varied among the three groups. BMI was associated best with L23SAT in NZ Europeans (30%) and L45VAT in Māori/PI (24.3%). WC and WHtR were correlated well with L45SAT in the total population (18.8% and 12.2%, respectively). Intra-pancreatic fat deposition had a positive Pearson relationship with NZ European BMI and Māori/PI WC, but no regression correlation with anthropometric indices. Conventional anthropometric indices did not correspond to the same fat depositions across different ethnic groups.

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