In vivo H-1-MR spectroscopy: Determination of the intra- and extracellularlipid contents in dependence on insulin action in offspring of type-II-diabetic subjects.

Purpose: Differentiation and assessment of intra-(IMCL) and extramyocellula r lipids (EMCL) in offspring of type II diabetic subjects by means of H-1-M R-spectroscopy. Methods: Out of a group of more than 250 metabolically char acterized offspring of type II diabetics, twenty subjects were selected and matched for anthropometric parameters. Glucose clamp was performed prior t o MRS in all subjects for metabolic characterization. Ten individuals were classified as insulin resistant (MCR < 7 ml/kg/min) and ten were found to b e insulin sensititve (MCR > 7 ml/kg/min). MRS was performed in the tibialis anterior muscle and in the soleus muscle. Results: For insulin resistant i ndividuals the MRS results revealed a higher IMCL content in both muscles. In the tibialis anterior muscle IMCL was increased by 1.6 fold (arbitrary u nits +/- SEM: 3.2 +/- 0.4 vs 2.0 +/- 0.3; p < 0.01) and in the soleus muscl e by 2.0 fold (arbitrary units +/- SEM: 13.0 +/- 1.9 vs 6.6 +/- 0.9; p less than or equal to 0.01). There was no correlation between EMCL and MCR in t he soleus muscle. In addition, no relationship between the amount of IMCL a nd the subcutaneous fat layer was found. Conclusions: A significantly incre ased intramyocellular lipid content in insulin resistant offspring of type II diabetic subjects was assessed non-invasively by H-1-MR-spectroscopy.