Hypometabolism as a potential risk factor for overweight and obesity in liver recipients

Energy Expenditure and Liver Transplantation: What We Know and Where We Are

“…It was observed that patients who underwent transplantion presented with significantly lower mREE (1449.1 ± 101.2 kcal/d) when compared with healthy controls (1768.4 ± 86.9 kcal/d) and exhibited a lower REE to FFM ratio. In this regard, it may be hypothesized that overweight patients with lower mREE values are at a higher risk for weight gain, 7 which is in accordance with some longitudinal studies that reported a reduction in the mREE after LTx.…”

“…Nevertheless, other factors should be considered. For instance, the majority of patients are sedentary after LTx, as reported by several authors 55,7,61 . Therefore, physical inactivity should also be considered when assessing these individuals.…”

“…For instance, the majority of patients are sedentary after LTx, as reported by several authors. 55,7,61 Therefore, physical inactivity should also be considered when assessing these individuals. More recently, our group has revealed deviation in eating behavior as another potential risk factor for weight gain and obesity.…”

“…After the transplant, alterations in the REE were investigated as part of the etiology of weight gain 6‐8 . The exact mechanisms behind the metabolic changes that occur in liver recipients, including in the long‐term postsurgery, are yet unclear.…”

“…5 After the transplant, alterations in the REE were investigated as part of the etiology of weight gain. [6][7][8] The exact mechanisms behind the metabolic changes that occur in liver recipients, including in the long-term postsurgery, are yet unclear. However, one of the plausible causes may be related to the loss of hepatic innervations, which may impair the ability to control energy metabolism.…”