Brain insulin sensitivity is linked to adiposity and body fat distribution

Stephanie Kullmann, Vera Valenta, Robert Wagner, Otto Tschritter, Jürgen Machann, Hans-Ulrich Häring, Hubert Preissl, Andreas Fritsche and Martin Heni ()
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Stephanie Kullmann: Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen
Vera Valenta: Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen
Robert Wagner: Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen
Otto Tschritter: Marienhospital Stuttgart, Vinzenz von Paul Kliniken
Jürgen Machann: Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen
Hans-Ulrich Häring: Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen
Hubert Preissl: Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen
Andreas Fritsche: Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen
Martin Heni: Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: Abstract Brain insulin action regulates eating behavior and energy fluxes throughout the body. However, numerous people are brain insulin resistant. How brain insulin responsiveness affects long-term weight and body fat composition in humans is still unknown. Here we show that high brain insulin sensitivity before lifestyle intervention associates with a more pronounced reduction in total and visceral fat during the program. High brain insulin sensitivity is also associated with less regain of fat mass during a nine year follow-up. Cross-sectionally, strong insulin responsiveness of the hypothalamus associates with less visceral fat, while subcutaneous fat is unrelated. Our results demonstrate that high brain insulin sensitivity is linked to weight loss during lifestyle intervention and associates with a favorable body fat distribution. Since visceral fat is strongly linked to diabetes, cardiovascular risk and cancer, these findings have implications beyond metabolic diseases and indicate the necessity of strategies to resolve brain insulin resistance.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15686-y

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