Whole-Body MRI-Derived Adipose Tissue Characterization and Relationship to Pulmonary Function Impairment.

Ricarda Von Krüchten,Fabian Bamberg,Holger Schulz,Susanne Rospleszcz,Roberto Lorbeer,Stefan Karrasch,Annette Peters,Christopher L Schlett,Dunja Hasic

doi:10.3390/tomography8020046

Abstract

Background: Specification of adipose tissues by whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed and related to pulmonary function parameters in a population-based cohort. Methods: 203 study participants underwent whole-body MRI and pulmonary function tests as part of the KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Augsburg Region) MRI study. Both visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were derived from the T1-Dixon sequence, and hepatic adipose tissue from the proton density fat fraction (PDFFhepatic). Associations between adipose tissue parameters and spirometric indices such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and Tiffeneau-index (FEV1/FVC) were examined using multivariate linear regression analysis excluding cofounding effects of other clinical parameters. Results: VAT (β = −0.13, p = 0.03) and SAT (β = −0.26, p < 0.001), but not PDFFhepatic were inversely associated with FEV1, while VAT (β = −0.27, p < 0.001), SAT (β = −0.41, p < 0.001), and PDFFhepatic (β = −0.17, p = 0.002) were inversely associated with FVC. PDFFhepatic was directly associated with the Tiffeneau index (β = 2.46, p < 0.001). Conclusions: In the adjusted linear regression model, VAT was inversely associated with all measured spirometric parameters, while PDFFhepatic revealed the strongest association with the Tiffeneau index. Non-invasive adipose tissue quantification measurements might serve as novel biomarkers for respiratory impairment.

Highlights

Obesity, especially abdominal obesity and the related metabolic syndrome, is a major global health problem
A total of 400 subjects underwent whole-body MR imaging, with 174 subjects excluded due to missing lung function data, 15 subjects were excluded due to poor image quality and inappropriate visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), PDFFhepatic measurements, and eight subjects due to missing covariate data
The following key findings from our population-based cohort study in a total of 203 subjects can be concluded: (1) By using whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) adipose tissue measurements only VAT was inversely associated with all measured spirometric parameters, while (2) PDFFhepatic revealed the strongest association with the Tiffeneau Index

Summary

Introduction

Especially abdominal obesity and the related metabolic syndrome, is a major global health problem It is an important risk factor for type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease, increased morbidity and mortality, and escalating health care costs [1]. Abdominal obesity includes subcutaneous (SAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and hepatic fat by using proton density fat fraction (PDFFhepatic). Methods: 203 study participants underwent whole-body MRI and pulmonary function tests as part of the KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Augsburg Region) MRI study Both visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were derived from the T1-Dixon sequence, and hepatic adipose tissue from the proton density fat fraction (PDFFhepatic). Conclusions: In the adjusted linear regression model, VAT was inversely associated with all measured spirometric parameters, while PDFFhepatic revealed the strongest association with the Tiffeneau index. Non-invasive adipose tissue quantification measurements might serve as novel biomarkers for respiratory impairment

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion