Quantification of Pancreatic Fat Accumulation by Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

To quantify pancreatic fat content (PFC) in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Spectra of the pancreatic head, body, and tail were acquired by single-voxel point-resolved spectroscopy sequences on a 3.0-T magnetic resonance scanner in 59 newly diagnosed T2DM patients and 32 non-diabetics (controls). PFC values were calculated and compared between the patients and controls as well as among the head, body, and tail. Correlations were determined between PFC and age, body mass index (BMI), and serum triglyceride (TG) levels.

Mean fat fractions did not differ significantly (all Ps > 0.05) across the pancreatic head, body, and tail in either the T2DM group (15.14 ± 7.49%, 17.51 ± 7.74%, and 18.35 ± 7.58%, respectively) or the control group (12.27 ± 7.85%, 15.35 ± 8.53%, and 16.20 ± 10.02%, respectively). Overall, mean PFC values did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between the T2DM group (16.82 ± 6.16%) and control group (14.56 ± 7.97%). Among T2DM patients, PFC did not correlate with age, TG levels, or BMI (r < 0.15, P > 0.05). Among non-diabetic controls, PFC correlated with BMI (r = 0.362, P = 0.042) and TG levels (r = 0.467, P = 0.007), but not with age (r < 0.15, P > 0.05).

PFC in the head, body, and tail are similar for newly diagnosed T2DM patients and non-diabetic persons. PFC does not correlate with age, TG, or BMI in newly diagnosed T2DM patients.