Intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT): Association with other adipose tissue compartments and insulin sensitivity
Michael Boettcher MD
Section on Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Jürgen Machann Dipl-Phys
Section on Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Section on Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076 Tübingen, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorNorbert Stefan MD
Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, Clinical Chemistry, and Angiology, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorClaus Thamer MD
Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, Clinical Chemistry, and Angiology, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorHans-Ulrich Häring MD
Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, Clinical Chemistry, and Angiology, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorClaus D. Claussen MD
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorAndreas Fritsche MD
Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, Clinical Chemistry, and Angiology, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorFritz Schick MD, PhD
Section on Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorMichael Boettcher MD
Section on Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Jürgen Machann Dipl-Phys
Section on Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Section on Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076 Tübingen, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorNorbert Stefan MD
Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, Clinical Chemistry, and Angiology, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorClaus Thamer MD
Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, Clinical Chemistry, and Angiology, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorHans-Ulrich Häring MD
Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, Clinical Chemistry, and Angiology, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorClaus D. Claussen MD
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorAndreas Fritsche MD
Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, Clinical Chemistry, and Angiology, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorFritz Schick MD, PhD
Section on Experimental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Purpose
To quantify intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) of the lower leg as well as to investigate associations with other adipose tissue (AT) compartments. The relationship between IMAT and insulin sensitivity was also examined.
Materials and Methods
Standardized quantification of IMAT was performed in a large cohort (N = 249) at increased risk for type 2 diabetes in the right calf by T1-weighted fast spin-echo imaging at 1.5T (Magnetom Sonata; Siemens Healthcare). Additionally, whole-body AT distribution was assessed. Insulin sensitivity was determined by glucose clamp.
Results
Males showed significantly more IMAT than females (2.1 ± 1.1 cm2 vs. 1.5 ± 0.9 cm2; P < 0.001). IMAT correlated well with other AT depots, especially with visceral AT (VAT; rfemales = 0.52, P < 0.0001 vs. rmales = 0.42, P < 0.0001). Moreover, IMAT showed a negative correlation with the glucose infusion rate (GIR; rfemales = −0.43, P = 0.0002 vs. rmales = −0.40, P = 0.0007).
Conclusion
Quantification of IMAT is possible by standard MR techniques. AT distribution of the lower leg is comparable to the visceral compartment with males having higher IMAT/VAT but lower subcutaneous AT (SCAT). IMAT seems to be involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, as shown by the significant negative correlation with GIR. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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