Liver steatosis (LS) evaluated through chemical-shift magnetic resonance imaging liver enzymes in morbid obesity; effect of weight loss obtained with intragastric balloon gastric banding

Acta Diabetol. 2014;51(3):361-8. doi: 10.1007/s00592-013-0516-4. Epub 2013 Oct 2.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate in morbid obesity clinical and metabolic effects related to weight loss on liver steatosis (LS), measured through chemical-shift magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and liver enzymes. Forty obese subjects (8 M/32 W; BMI 42.8 ± 7.12 kg/m(2), mean ± SD) were evaluated for LS through ultrasound (US-LS), chemical-shift MRI (MRI-LS), liver enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP)], anthropometric parameters [weight, BMI, waist circumference (WC)], lipids, insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), oral glucose tolerance test, and body composition [fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) at bio-impedance analysis (BIA)]. Anthropometric measures, MRI-LS, BIA, and biochemical parameters were reevaluated 6 months later in 18 subjects undergoing restrictive bariatric approach, i.e., intragastric balloon (BIB, n = 13) or gastric banding (LAGB, n = 5), and in 13 subjects receiving hypocaloric diet. At baseline, US-LS correlates only with MRI-LS, and the latter correlates with ALT, AST, and GGT. After 6 months, subjects undergoing BIB or LAGB had significant changes of BMI, weight, WC, ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, HbA1c, insulin, HOMA-IR, FM, FFM, and MRI-LS. Diet-treated obese subjects had no significant change of any parameter under study; change of BMI, fat mass, and fat-free mass was significantly greater in LAGB/BIB subjects than in diet-treated subjects. Change of MRI-LS showed a significant correlation with changes in weight, BMI, WC, GGT, ALP, and basal MRI-LS. Significant weight loss after BIB or LAGB is associated with decrease in chemical-shift MRI-LS and with reduction in liver enzymes; chemical-shift MRI and liver enzymes allow monitoring of LS in follow-up studies.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alanine Transaminase / metabolism
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / metabolism
  • Bariatric Surgery / instrumentation
  • Fatty Liver / diagnosis*
  • Fatty Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Fatty Liver / enzymology
  • Fatty Liver / etiology
  • Female
  • Gastric Balloon
  • Humans
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Liver / blood supply*
  • Liver / enzymology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity, Morbid / complications
  • Obesity, Morbid / diagnostic imaging
  • Obesity, Morbid / physiopathology
  • Obesity, Morbid / surgery*
  • Radiography
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Weight Loss*
  • Young Adult
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase / metabolism

Substances

  • Insulin
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase