Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Changes in Abdominal Compartments in Obese Diabetics during a Low-Calorie Weight-Loss Program.
To investigate changes in the fat content of abdominal compartments and muscle area during weight loss using confounder-adjusted chemical-shift-encoded magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in overweight diabetics.



Twenty-nine obese diabetics (10/19 men/women, median age: 59.0 years, median body mass index (BMI): 34.0 kg/m2) prospectively joined a standardized 15-week weight-loss program (six weeks of formula diet exclusively, followed by reintroduction of regular food with gradually increasing energy content over nine weeks) over 15 weeks. All subjects underwent a standardized MRI protocol including a confounder-adjusted chemical-shift-encoded MR sequence with water/fat separation before the program as well at the end of the six weeks of formula diet and at the end of the program at 15 weeks. Fat fractions of abdominal organs and vertebral bone marrow as well as volumes of visceral and subcutaneous fat were determined. Furthermore, muscle area was evaluated using the L4/L5 method. Data were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for paired samples.



Median BMI decreased significantly from 34.0 kg/m2 to 29.9 kg/m2 (p < 0.001) at 15 weeks. Liver fat content was normalized (14.2% to 4.1%, p < 0.001) and vertebral bone marrow fat (57.5% to 53.6%, p = 0.018) decreased significantly throughout the program, while fat content of pancreas (9.0%), spleen (0.0%), and psoas muscle (0.0%) did not (p > 0.15). Visceral fat volume (3.2 L to 1.6 L, p < 0.001) and subcutaneous fat diameter (3.0 cm to 2.2 cm, p < 0.001) also decreased significantly. Muscle area declined by 6.8% from 243.9 cm2 to 226.8 cm2.



MRI allows noninvasive monitoring of changes in abdominal compartments during weight loss. In overweight diabetics, weight loss leads to fat reduction in abdominal compartments, such as visceral fat, as well as liver fat and vertebral bone marrow fat while pancreas fat remains unchanged.
Department of Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Lena J
LJ
Vogt
Department of Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Antje
A
Steveling
Institute of Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Peter J
PJ
Meffert
Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Marie-Luise
ML
Kromrey
Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Rebecca
R
Kessler
Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Norbert
N
Hosten
Department of Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Janine
J
Krüger
Department of Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Simone
S
Gärtner
Department of Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Ali A
AA
Aghdassi
Department of Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Julia
J
Mayerle
Department of Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Markus M
MM
Lerch
Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Jens-Peter
JP
Kühn
D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002149:Energy Intake; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000178:diet therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs