Measuring lipid turnover in human subjects using 2H magnetic resonance and heavy water loading

Motivation: During heavy water loading, deuterium is incorporated into newly synthesised lipids; measurement of deuterium content thus provides a measure of lipid turnover. Currently this involves in vitro analysis of biopsy samples. Goal(s): We investigated whether deuterium magnetic resonance can detect increased deuteration of subcutaneous fat following heavy water loading. Approach: Deuterium signals from calf and abdomen from three participants were monitored during/after a 28-day period of loading with heavy water to ~100x natural abundance. Results: Fat signal was increased relative to natural abundance in 5 of the 6 measurements (average at times > 50 days), reaching statistical significance (P<0.05) in three measurements. Impact: A non-invasive technique for monitoring lipid turnover anywhere in the human body would be a powerful tool, allowing investigation of fat metabolism in health and disease. Deuterium magnetic resonance during heavy water loading could form this tool.