Associations of intra-pancreatic fat deposition with triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and lipoprotein lipase

Abstract

Aims

To investigate the associations of intra-pancreatic fat deposition (IPFD) with very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL) and lipoprotein lipase.

Materials and methods

A total of 174 participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging on a 3.0 Tesla scanner for the quantification of IPFD. Blood samples were collected following an 8-h fasting period. Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins were measured using the Lipoprint® system and classed as VLDL, IDL-C, IDL-B and IDL-A subfractions. Lipoprotein lipase was measured using ELISA. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted.

Results

Both IPFD and lipoprotein lipase were significantly associated with the levels of IDL-B in the most adjusted model. Specifically, each unit increase in IPFD was associated with a 0.12-unit increase in IDL-B (p = 0.047) whereas each unit increase in lipoprotein lipase was associated with a 0.22-unit increase in IDL-B (p = 0.015). Neither IPFD nor lipoprotein lipase was associated with VLDL.

Conclusions

The relationship of IPFD with triglyceride-rich lipoproteins differs depending on the nature of the lipoproteins. High IPFD is significantly associated with increased levels of IDL (specifically, its most representative subfraction—IDL-B), but not VLDL. Fatty pancreas disease may contribute to increasing the risk of atherosclerotic CVD through IDL.