Decreased liver volume after bariatric surgery and its positive impact on liver function tests and lipid profile

Obesity is associated with a higher incidence of fatty liver disease, intrahepatic triglyceride content, and hepatic fibrosis. These abnormalities could progress to severe liver disease.

To evaluate the effects of bariatric surgery (BaS)-induced weight loss on liver volume, hepatic function tests, and lipid profile.

Academic Hospital, United States.

We conducted a retrospective review of an institutional review board (IRB)-approved database on patients who underwent BaS from 2006 to 2018. To determine changes in liver volume, we reviewed abdominal computed tomography scans before BaS (Group 1) and up to 18 months after (Group 2). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lipid profiles were collected before and after BaS.

Seventy-three patients met the inclusion criteria. Patients were predominantly females 78.1% (57), with an average age of 51.29+12.54 years. The liver volume was 1870.73 + 638.5 mm³ before and 1555.15 + 464.8 after BaS (P = .004). ALT was 36.9 + 25.3 before versus 23.8 + 19.3 after BaS (P = .024).Triglyceride levels changed from 135.62 + 69.98 before to 97.50 + 47.33 after BaS (P = .009). Low-density lipoprotein decreased from 107.9 + 38.1 to 89.6 + 32.8 (P = .048).

BaS-induced weight loss determines significant liver shrinkage by reducing liver volume, and coincides with improvements in hepatic function tests and lipid profile. Our results suggest that BaS might contribute to reduction of the progression of fatty liver disease to fibrosis.