Relationships between plasma levels and six proinflammatory interleukins and body composition using a new magnetic resonance imaging voxel-based technique

Abstract Background Obesity has previously been linked to inflammation. Here we investigated how plasma levels of six interleukins were related to body fat distribution Methods In 321 subjects, all aged 50 years, in the population-based POEM study (mean BMI 26-27 kg/m2), six interleukins were measured together with a DXA scan for determination of fat and lean mass. Also a whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, in which fat content measurements were acquired in >1 million voxels was performed. Interleukin levels were related to each of these voxels by the voxel-based technique “imiomics” to create a 3D-view of how these measurements were related to size of each part of the body. Results Levels of IL-1RA and IL-6 were related to traditional DXA and MRI measurements of adipose tissue at all locations. Neither IL-6R, nor IL-8 or IL-18, showed any consistent significant relationships vs the traditional measurements of body composition, while IL-16 showed relationships being of borderline significance. The imiomics evaluation further strengthen the view that IL-1RA and IL-6 were related to subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), as well to ectopic fat distribution. In women, IL-16 levels were weakly related to expansion of SAT in the upper part of the body, while on the contrary, IL-8 levels were related to a reduction of SAT volume. Conclusion Of the six evaluated interleukins, plasma IL-1RA and IL-6 levels were related to the amount of adipose tissue in all parts of the body, while a diverse picture was seen for other interleukins, suggesting that different interleukins are related to fat distribution in different ways.