Effect of bariatric surgery on fatty liver disease in obese patients: A prospective one year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), often associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome, manifests itself as steatosis, hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, or even end-stage liver disease. NAFLD causes inflammation, insulin resistance and cardiovascular complications. The current study aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of bariatric surgery on biochemical parameters of hepatic functions in obese patients by comparing them before and one-year after the surgery. METHODS: A total of 72 morbidly obese patients underwent bariatric surgery between 2016 and 2018. The incidence of diabetes mellitus in this group was 29%, median body weight was 124.5 kg (109.0-140.0) and mean body mass index (BMI) was 44.38 ± 6.770 kg/m2. The used surgical procedures included gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastric plication, and single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass-sleeve gastrectomy. Biochemical parameters including ALT/AST ratio (AAR), NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), hepatic fibrosis index (FIB-4) and Fatty Liver Index (FLI) were evaluated in all patients at the time of surgery and one year after the intervention. RESULTS: Significant improvement after the intervention was observed in 64 patients. A significant reduction in body weight (P<0.0001), waist circumference (P<0.0001), and body mass index (P<0.0001) were observed. NAFLD liver fibrosis index changed significantly (P<0.0001), suggesting a trend of improvement from advanced fibrosis towards stages 0-2. The FIB-4 fibrosis index indicated significant improvement (P=0.0136). Besides, a significant decline in hepatic steatosis (P<0.0001) was observed after bariatric surgery as compared to the pre-surgery fatty liver conditions. CONCLUSION: Among the strategies to overcome NAFLD-associated impediments, bariatric surgery can be considered effective in reducing obesity and metabolic co-morbidities. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04569396).

Dietary intake and ghrelin and leptin changes after sleeve gastrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical intervention in obesity is today the most effective treatment method in high level obesity management. Bariatric interventions not only ensure body weight reduction, but may influence dietary habits. AIM: To assess changes in adipose hormones and dietary habits in obese patients after sleeve gastrectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study set comprised 37 subjects (29 females and 8 males) 24 to 68 years old with body mass index 43.0 ±4.9 kg/m(2). Pre-operative examination included baseline measurements of body composition. Dietary habits and intake frequency were monitored by a questionnaire method. Follow-up examinations were carried out in a scope identical to the pre-operative examination, 6 and 12 months after surgery, respectively. RESULTS: The average patient weight loss 12 months after surgery was 31.7 kg. Excess weight loss was 55.2 ±20.6%. Patients reported reduced appetite (p < 0.001), increasingly regular food intake (p < 0.001), intake of more meal portions per day (p = 0.003) and a decrease in consuming the largest portions during the afternoon and evening (p = 0.030). Plasma levels of fasting glucose, leptin and ghrelin significantly decreased (p = 0.006; p = 0.0.043); in contrast, the level of adiponectin significantly increased (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Sleeve gastrectomy and follow-up nutritional therapy resulted in a significant body weight reduction within 1 year after surgery. An improvement of certain dietary habits in patients was registered. At 12 months after surgery, there were no statistically significant differences in decreases in ghrelin and leptin concentrations between patients without changed appetite and those reporting decreased appetite.