Pancreatic fat and stiffness reflect distinct features of pancreatic remodeling and β-cell function
Authors' conclusion
Intrapancreatic fat and pancreatic stiffness appear to reflect distinct pathophysiological processes, with potentially different relationships to systemic metabolic status and β-cell function.
Study context
- Population
- Individuals with ultrasound-detected pancreatic hyperechogenicity (fatty pancreas) without prior diabetes diagnosis; F/M 16/13, age 54 ± 10.4 years
- Participants
- 29 individuals
- Exposure
- Normal glucose tolerance (NGT) vs impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)
- NGTn = 22
- IGTn = 7
- Outcome
- Correlations of MRI-PDFF pancreatic fat and shear-wave elastography stiffness with metabolic measures and β-cell function
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Pancreatic fat fraction vs BMI (ρ)
- 0.43, p=0.02
- Pancreatic fat fraction vs β-cell glucose sensitivity (ρ)
- 0.40, p=0.03
- Pancreatic stiffness vs body weight (ρ)
- −0.38, p=0.04
- Pancreatic stiffness vs pancreatic fat fraction (ρ), no correlation
- −0.15, p= 0.44
- Pancreatic stiffness vs potentiation factor ratio (PFR1; non-glucose-dependent amplification of insulin secretion) (ρ)
- −0.44, p= 0.02
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Pancreatic fat and stiffness reflect distinct features of pancreatic remodeling and β-cell function. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published 29 September 2026. doi:10.
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