Liver Adiposity and Metabolic Profile in Individuals with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Kathleen C Rankin, Laura C O'Brien, Liron Segal, M Rehan Khan, Ashraf S Gorgey, Kathleen C Rankin, Laura C O'Brien, Liron Segal, M Rehan Khan, Ashraf S Gorgey

Abstract

Purpose: To quantify liver adiposity using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to determine its association with metabolic profile in men with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Materials and methods: MRI analysis of liver adiposity by fat signal fraction (FSF) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was completed on twenty participants. Intravenous glucose tolerance test was conducted to measure glucose effectiveness (Sg) and insulin sensitivity (Si). Lipid panel, fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and inflammatory cytokines were also analyzed.

Results: Average hepatic FSF was 3.7% ± 2.1. FSF was positively related to TG, non-HDL-C, fasting glucose, HbA1c, VAT, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). FSF was negatively related to Si and testosterone. FSF was positively related to VAT (r = 0.48, p = 0.032) and TNF-α (r = 0.51, p = 0.016) independent of age, level of injury (LOI), and time since injury (TSI). The associations between FSF and metabolic profile were independent of VAT.

Conclusions: MRI noninvasively estimated hepatic adiposity in men with chronic SCI. FSF was associated with dysfunction in metabolic profile, central adiposity, and inflammation. Importantly, liver adiposity influenced metabolic profile independently of VAT. These findings highlight the significance of quantifying liver adiposity after SCI to attenuate the development of metabolic disorders.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
MRI images were used to trace the liver using the in-phase (IP) image (a) and its identical out-phase (OP) image (b) for calculation of the hepatic fat signal fraction (FSF).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Relationships between hepatic fat signal fraction (FSF) and lipid profile. TG, triglycerides and Non-HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Relationships between hepatic fat signal fraction (FSF) and metabolic profile. Fasting glucose, HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin, testosterone, and Si, insulin sensitivity.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Relationships between hepatic fat signal fraction (FSF), trunk cross-sectional area (CSA), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT; (a)) and inflammation and ectopic adipose tissue ((b); hepatic FSF or VAT). TNFα, tumor necrosis factor alpha.

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