Liver fat content is negatively associated with atherosclerotic carotid plaque in type 2 diabetic patients

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is independently associated with atherosclerosis in nondiabetic individuals. In type 2 diabetic patients, the link between fatty liver and atherosclerosis is less clear. Here, we assessed whether liver fat content evaluated using (1)H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) was independently associated with prevalent carotid plaque as a marker of atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients.

One hundred and forty-four prospectively enrolled patients with type 2 diabetes underwent liver fat content measurement using (1)H-MRS and carotid plaque assessment using ultrasound. Multiple logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with carotid plaque.

Mean ± SD liver fat content was 9.86±8.12%. Carotid plaque prevalence was 52.1% (75/144). Patients without plaque were younger (P=0.006) and had a smaller visceral fat area (P=0.015), lower reported prevalence of previous cardiovascular events or current statin therapy (P=0.002), and higher liver fat content than those with plaque (P=0.009). By multivariable logistic regression, increased liver fat content independently predicted the absence of carotid plaque [odds ratios (ORs), 0.94; 95% confidence intervals (CIs), 0.89-0.99; P=0.017].

Liver fat content measured by (1)H-MRS is higher in type 2 diabetic patients without carotid plaque compared to those with plaque. This study suggests that increased liver fat content could be associated with a relative protection against carotid atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.