Association of proinsulin and hepatic steatosis in a random, population-based sample

Objective: Proinsulin may represent a predictive marker for assessing insulin resistance and reduced beta-cell function. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between hepatic steatosis, proinsulin and other parameters in a random, population-based sample. Design: Cross-sectional study, conducted in south-western Germany. Methods: Upper abdominal ultrasound examinations were performed in 343 subjects (147 females, 196 males; average age 40.0+/-11.5 years). Proinsulin, the proinsulin-to-insulin ratio and other laboratory parameters were determined, and the BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and other anthropometric data were documented. Results: Hepatic steatosis was observed in 80 subjects (23.3%: 29.6%, males; 15.0%, females). Multivariate analysis showed an association with hepatic steatosis for male gender (P=0.0212), advancing age (P=0.0241), elevated BMI (P<0.0001), elevated WHR (P=0.0024), alanine aminotransferase (P=0.0046), proinsulin (P=0.0403) and proinsulin-to-insulin ratio (P=0.0116). Conclusions: There is an association between elevated proinsulin concentrations and hepatic steatosis. European Journal of Endocrinology 168 195-202