In this observational study, Hwang et al. sought to determine the associations between intrahepatic triglycerides, intramyocellular lipids, intra-abdominal (visceral) and deep abdominal subcutaneous fat deposition, and whole body glucose disposal as measured by the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp technique in a somewhat limited study sample (10 men and 2 women). Intra-abdominal fat, intrahepatic triglycerides, and intramyocellular lipids were closely correlated. Study findings also suggested that among measured parameters, intrahepatic triglycerides were the best predictors of glucose disposal. Intramyocellular lipids and intra-abdominal fat deposition also predicted glucose disposal, but to a lesser extent. In addition, plasma interleukin-6 and resistin levels correlated positively with intrahepatic triglyceride levels and negatively with glucose disposal. This paper provides some interesting mechanistical insights, but larger studies are needed to shed further light on the questions it raises.
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