Reduced pancreatic volume in hepatocyte nuclear factor 1A-maturity-onset diabetes of the young

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Sep;93(9):3505-9. doi: 10.1210/jc.2008-0340. Epub 2008 Jul 1.

Abstract

Context: There are interplays between the endocrine and exocrine pancreas. We recently reported an increased frequency of exocrine dysfunction in HNF1A-maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY3) patients, compared with controls. Reduced pancreatic volume is seen in HNF1B-MODY (MODY5) and diabetes types 1 and 2.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether HNF1A mutation carriers have reduced pancreatic volume or abnormal pancreatic structure and whether any changes are associated with exocrine dysfunction.

Methods: Fifteen HNF1A mutation carriers recruited from the Norwegian MODY Registry, 31 subjects with type 1 diabetes, 10 subjects with type 2 diabetes, and 11 controls underwent computed tomography of the pancreas. We measured pancreatic volume and X-ray attenuation. Pancreatic volume index was defined as pancreatic volume divided by body surface area.

Results: Pancreatic volume index was reduced in subjects with HNF1A-MODY (34.5 ml/m2; P < 0.02) and type 1 diabetes (21.4 ml/m2; P < 0.001) as compared with nondiabetic controls (45.7 ml/m2), and was reduced in subjects with diabetes in combination with fecal elastase deficiency (P = 0.03). Subjects with type 1 diabetes had smaller pancreatic volume index, compared with HNF1A mutation carriers (P < 0.001). Reduced pancreatic volume index was associated with increasing duration of diabetes. Pancreatic X-ray attenuation in HNF1A mutation carriers was not significantly different from that of nondiabetic controls.

Conclusions: HNF1A mutation carriers have reduced pancreatic volume but less reduced than in patients with type 1 diabetes. Insulinopenia could explain both the pancreatic volume reduction and the associated pancreatic dysfunction.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / diagnostic imaging
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / pathology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / diagnostic imaging
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / pathology*
  • Female
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-alpha / genetics*
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation / physiology
  • Organ Size / genetics
  • Pancreas / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreas / pathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • HNF1A protein, human
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-alpha