Association between dietary fat intake, liver fat, and insulin sensitivity in sedentary, abdominally obese, older men

Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2008 Apr;33(2):239-45. doi: 10.1139/H07-179.

Abstract

Whether dietary fat influences the interaction between liver fat, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and metabolic risk is unclear. Thus, we sought to determine the independent associations between 1 and 10 d dietary fat intake, liver fat, and VAT on insulin sensitivity using a cross-sectional design. Liver fat score (LFS) was assessed by computed tomography and VAT by magnetic resonance imaging in 42 abdominally obese older men. Insulin sensitivity was measured by the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp technique. Diet composition was determined from self-recorded diet records for 1 and 10 d preceding the assessment of LFS. LFS was positively associated with the 10 d average fat and alcohol intake, but not with any 1 d average dietary variables. VAT (r = -0.36) and LFS (r = -0.32) were both negatively correlated with insulin sensitivity (p < 0.05). When LFS and VAT were entered in the same model, only VAT was an independent predictor of insulin sensitivity (p < 0.05). Control for the average 10 d alcohol consumption and fat intake improved the association between insulin sensitivity and LFS (from r = -0.32, p > 0.10 to r = -0.49, p < 0.05), but not VAT. In fact, after control for the 10 d dietary variables, both LFS and VAT were independent predictors of insulin sensitivity (p < 0.05). This was not true for any of the 1 d dietary intake variables. In conclusion, liver fat is associated with dietary fat intake and alcohol consumption over 10 d, but not 1 d. Furthermore, dietary habits may influence the relationship between liver fat and insulin sensitivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Fat / physiology*
  • Adiposity / physiology*
  • Aged
  • Anthropometry
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Body Composition / physiology
  • Diet
  • Dietary Fats / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology*
  • Life Style
  • Liver / physiology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / physiopathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Dietary Fats