Effects of Weight Loss Surgeries on Liver Disease

Abstract

Obesity is the single most significant risk factor for the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children and adults. NALFD is estimated to occur in 30 to 100% of obese adults, and in approximately 53% of obese children. The majority of obese patients have ultrasonographic evidence of fatty liver; 30% have histologically documented nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Up to 25% of patients with NASH may progress to cirrhosis. In the United States, an estimated 65% of adults are overweight and 31% are obese. Between 2001 and 2002, the number of people with severe obesity, who are more than 100 pounds overweight, rose to nearly 11 million. Since 1970, levels of childhood and teen overweight have climbed to approximately 16% in those aged 6 to 19 years. Recent findings indicate that key features of NAFLD and NASH improve or resolve dramatically with weight loss. This article discusses weight loss surgeries and their effects on liver disease.

Increased Expression and Activity of Hepatic Lipase in the Liver of Morbidly Obese Adult Patients in Relation to Lipid Content

“…Other authors [46] have also described the high HL activity, although in postheparin plasma, this is a reflection of an altered lipoprotein profile in very obese women. In agreement with previous reports [47][48][49], we observed that following bariatric surgery, there was a drastic reduction in TAG levels in both the liver and plasma, as well as in levels of TC, although, here, this reduction was more marked than that found by other authors [50]. This reduction in the TAG content of hepatocytes is accompanied by a reduced amount of other lipids (TC, PL, etc.…”

Lipoprotein Lipase Expression in Livers of Morbidly Obese Patients Could be Responsible for Liver Steatosis

“…In agreement with previous reports [36][37][38], we observed that, following bariatric surgery, there was a drastic reduction in TAG levels in both liver and plasma, as well as in levels of TC, although in the present study, this reduction was more marked than that found by some authors [39]. This reduction in the TAG content in hepatocytes is accompanied by a reduced amount of other lipids (TC, PL, etc.…”

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease during valproate therapy

“…Many various conditions can be associated with NAFLD [2,3,5,13], and our case suggests that also VPA therapy may be considered. Our patient had no previous history of hepatic disease, and no other risk factors were present; therefore, it appears that the only factor for the development of NAFLD is VPA therapy.…”