Z Gastroenterol 2013; 51 - A25
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1347400

Higher hepatic fat content in male type 2 diabetics compared to males with hyperlipidemia with normal glucose tolerance

L Kosi 1, Y Winhofer 1, M Leitner 1, J Harreiter 1, A Thomas 1, M Chmelik 2, M Krssak 2, S Trattnig 2, A Luger 1, A Kautzky-Willer 1
  • 1Medical University Vienna, IM III; Endokrinologie & Stoffwechsel, Wien, Austria
  • 2Centre of Excellence, High-Field MR, Department of Radiodiagnostics, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria

Background: Elevated hepatic fat is common in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and hyperlipidemia and associated with an increased risk for liver fibrosis/cirrhosis and cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to compare the extent of hepatic fat content in T2DM with subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT).

Methods: 20 T2DM and 20 hyperlipidemic NGT male patients treated at our outpatient clinic of the Medical University of Vienna were included in the study. All underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy which was performed with 3 Tesla Siemens MRT. The non-diabetic subjects recevied a 3-hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test.

Results: The mean age in the diabetic group was 55,9 ± 7,2 years, weight 88,3 ± 17 kg, BMI 31,6 ± 5,1 kg/m2 and duration of diabetes 6 ± 4 years. In the NGT group the mean age: 46.6 ± 10 years, BMI: 28.7 ± 3.9 kg/m2.

The hepatic lipid content was significantly higher in T2DM than in the NGT group (9,75 ± 7,3% vs. 3,25 ± 7,3%, p = 0.001).

Plasma triglycerides were similar in both groups (T2DM: 260,3 ± 130 mg/dl vs. 295,3 ± 160,0, p = n.s.) and correlated positively with the hepatic fat content, especially in the diabetic group (rS = 0.35; p = 0.009).

To conclude type 2 diabetes is associated with elevated hepatic fat content, which is significantly higher than in the NGT group. In both groups the plasma lipids strongly correlated with hepatic fat content, especially in the T2DM group. This can lead to a conclusion that with diabetes onset the extent of hepatic content rises however further bigger studies are needed to confirm our findings. Regular performance of an OGTT in men at increased cardiovascular (CV)-risk should avoid delayed diagnosis of diabetes in this young population because with the onset of diabetes the hepatic fat content and CV risk increase enormly and should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible to prevent CV events.