Saturated fat is more metabolically harmful for the human liver than unsaturated fat or simple sugars

Panu K. Luukkonen, Ashfaq Ali, Marju Orho-Melander, Hannele Yki-Järvinen, et al.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (i.e., increased intrahepatic triglyceride [IHTG] content), predisposes to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Adipose tissue lipolysis and hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) are the main pathways contributing to IHTG. We hypothesized that dietary macronutrient composition influences the pathways, mediators, and magnitude of weight gain-induced changes in IHTG. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We overfed 38 overweight subjects (age 48 ± 2 years, BMI 31 ± 1 kg/m2, liver fat 4.7 ± 0.9%) 1,000 extra kcal/day of saturated (SAT) or unsaturated (UNSAT) fat or simple sugars (CARB) for 3 weeks. We measured IHTG (1H-MRS), pathways contributing to IHTG (lipolysis ([2H5]glycerol) and DNL (2H2O) basally and during euglycemic hyperinsulinemia), insulin resistance, endotoxemia, plasma ceramides, and adipose tissue gene expression at 0 and 3 weeks. RESULTS: Overfeeding SAT increased IHTG more (+55%) than UNSAT (+15%, P < 0.05). CARB increased IHTG (+33%) by stimulating DNL (+98%). SAT significantly increased while UNSAT decreased lipolysis. SAT induced insulin resistance and endotoxemia and significantly increased multiple plasma ceramides. The diets had distinct effects on adipose tissue gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: Macronutrient composition of excess energy influences pathways of IHTG: CARB increases DNL, while SAT increases and UNSAT decreases lipolysis. SAT induced the greatest increase in IHTG, insulin resistance, and harmful ceramides. Decreased intakes of SAT could be beneficial in reducing IHTG and the associated risk of diabetes. © 2018 by the American Diabetes Association.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1732-1739
Number of pages8
JournalDiabetes Care
Volume41
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018 Aug

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Endocrinology and Diabetes

Free keywords

  • ceramide derivative
  • saturated fatty acid
  • sugar
  • triacylglycerol
  • unsaturated fatty acid
  • edible oil
  • fatty acid
  • insulin
  • monosaccharide
  • adipose tissue
  • adult
  • body weight gain
  • carbohydrate metabolism
  • clinical article
  • Conference Paper
  • controlled study
  • dietary intake
  • endotoxemia
  • female
  • food composition
  • gene expression
  • high calorie diet
  • human
  • hyperinsulinemia
  • insulin resistance
  • lipid blood level
  • lipid metabolism
  • lipolysis
  • macronutrient
  • male
  • nonalcoholic fatty liver
  • obesity
  • proton nuclear magnetic resonance
  • blood
  • clinical trial
  • complication
  • feeding behavior
  • liver
  • metabolism
  • middle aged
  • physiology
  • Adipose Tissue
  • Adult
  • Carbohydrate Metabolism
  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated
  • Fatty Acids
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insulin
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Liver
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monosaccharides
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
  • Overweight
  • Triglycerides
  • Weight Gain

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