Investigating a Liver Fat

Abstract

Objective—To investigate the relationship between hepatic fat content, circulating triglyceride levels and aortic stiffness in adult and childhood obesity. Approach and Results—Seventy-seven adults and 18 children across a wide range of body mass index (18.5–52.6 kg/m2; percentile 8–100) with no identifiable cardiac risk factors underwent; 1H- magnetic resonance spectroscopy to quantify hepatic fat content and magnetic resonance imaging to assess aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and regional distensibility. In adults, multivariable regression showed age (β=0.09; P=0.02), liver fat (β=2.5; P=0.04), and serum triglyceride (β=0.47; P=0.01) to be independent predictors of PWV. Age and blood pressure–adjusted, moderated regression showed that 43% of the total negative effect of hepatic fat on PWV is attributable to indirect effects via increased triglyceride (P=0.005). In addition, regional distensibility was positively correlated with hepatic fat (ascending; r=−0.35; descending, r=−0.23; abdominal, r=−0.41; a...