The impact of short-term eucaloric low- and high-carbohydrate diets on liver triacylglycerol content in males with overweight and obesity: a randomized crossover study.

Background: Intrahepatic triacylglycerol (liver TG) content is associated with hepatic insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Liver TG content can be modulated within days under hypocaloric conditions.

Objectives: We hypothesized that 4 d of eucaloric low-carbohydrate/high-fat (LC) intake would decrease liver TG content, whereas a high-carbohydrate/low-fat (HC) intake would increase liver TG content, and further that alterations in liver TG would be linked to dynamic changes in hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism.

The Role of Hepatic Fat Accumulation in Glucose and Insulin Homeostasis-Dysregulation by the Liver.

Accumulation of hepatic triacylglycerol (TG) is associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome, which are important pathogenic factors in the development of type 2 diabetes. In this narrative review, we summarize the effects of hepatic TG accumulation on hepatic glucose and insulin metabolism and the underlying molecular regulation in order to highlight the importance of hepatic TG accumulation for whole-body glucose metabolism. We find that liver fat accumulation is closely linked to impaired insulin-mediated suppression of hepatic glucose production and reduced hepatic insulin clearance.