Ectopic fat deposition in populations of black African ancestry: A systematic review and meta-analysis



Reed, Reuben M, Nevitt, Sarah J ORCID: 0000-0001-9988-2709, Kemp, Graham J ORCID: 0000-0002-8324-9666, Cuthbertson, Daniel J ORCID: 0000-0002-6128-0822, Whyte, Martin B and Goff, Louise M
(2022) Ectopic fat deposition in populations of black African ancestry: A systematic review and meta-analysis. ACTA DIABETOLOGICA, 59 (2). pp. 171-187.

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Abstract

<h4>Aims</h4>In populations of black African ancestry (BA), a paradox exists whereby lower visceral adipose tissue is found despite their high risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D). This systematic review investigates ethnic differences in other ectopic fat depots (intrahepatic lipid: IHL; intramyocellular lipid: IMCL and intrapancreatic lipid; IPL) to help contextualise their potential contribution to T2D risk.<h4>Methods</h4>A systematic literature search was performed in December 2020 to identify studies reporting at least one ectopic fat comparison between BA and one/more other ethnicity. For IHL, a meta-analysis was carried out with studies considered comparable based on the method of measurement.<h4>Results</h4>Twenty-eight studies were included (IHL: n = 20; IMCL: n = 8; IPL: n = 4). Meta-analysis of 11 studies investigating IHL revealed that it was lower in BA populations vs pooled ethnic comparators (MD -1.35%, 95% CI -1.55 to -1.16, I<sup>2</sup> = 85%, P < 0.00001), white European ancestry (MD -0.94%, 95% CI -1.17 to -0.70, I<sup>2</sup> = 79%, P < 0.00001), Hispanic ancestry (MD -2.06%, 95% CI -2.49 to -1.63, I<sup>2</sup> = 81%, P < 0.00001) and South Asian ancestry comparators (MD -1.92%, 95% CI -3.26 to -0.57, I<sup>2</sup> = 78%, P = 0.005). However, heterogeneity was high in all analyses. Most studies found no significant differences in IMCL between BA and WE. Few studies investigated IPL, however, indicated that IPL is lower in BA compared to WE and HIS.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The discordance between ectopic fat and greater risk for T2D in BA populations raises questions around its contribution to T2D pathophysiology in BA.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Black African ancestry, Ectopic fat, Intrahepatic lipid, Intramyocellular lipid, Intrapancreatic lipid, Type 2 diabetes
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 14 Sep 2021 09:04
Last Modified: 18 Jan 2023 21:28
DOI: 10.1007/s00592-021-01797-5
Open Access URL: https://rdcu.be/cxJiL
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3137045