Fatty Acid Metabolism in the Liver, Measured by Positron Emission Tomography, Is Increased in Obese Individuals

PET imaging can be used to measure FA metabolism in the liver. By using this technology, we found that obese individuals have increased hepatic oxidation of FA, in the context of adipose tissue insulin resistance, and increased FA flux from visceral fat. FA flux from visceral fat is proportional with the mass of the corresponding depot.