Associations of intra‐pancreatic fat deposition with triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins and lipoprotein lipase

Abstract Aims To investigate the associations of intra‐pancreatic fat deposition (IPFD) with very‐low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate‐density lipoprotein (IDL) and lipoprotein lipase. Materials and methods A total of 174 participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging on a 3.0 Tesla scanner for the quantification of IPFD. Blood samples were collected following an 8‐h fasting period. Triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins were measured using the Lipoprint® system and classed as VLDL, IDL‐C, IDL‐B and IDL‐A subfractions. Lipoprotein lipase was measured using ELISA. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted. Results Both IPFD and lipoprotein lipase were significantly associated with the levels of IDL‐B in the most adjusted model. Specifically, each unit increase in IPFD was associated with a 0.12‐unit increase in IDL‐B ( p = 0.047) whereas each unit increase in lipoprotein lipase was associated with a 0.22‐unit increase in IDL‐B ( p = 0.015). Neither IPFD nor lipoprotein lipase was associated with VLDL. Conclusions The relationship of IPFD with triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins differs depending on the nature of the lipoproteins. High IPFD is significantly associated with increased levels of IDL (specifically, its most representative subfraction—IDL‐B), but not VLDL. Fatty pancreas disease may contribute to increasing the risk of atherosclerotic CVD through IDL.