Liver Health and Metabolic Function in People With Obesity

Liver Health and Metabolic Function in People With Obesity

This project aims to determine the effect of significant weight loss on rates on hepatic fibrogenesis in people with obesity.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects approximately 70% of those with obesity and if left untreated can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure. NAFLD stages progress from the stage of simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, and fibrosis The stage of NAFLD is currently best determined using histology from a liver biopsy, however this provides a static depiction of the state of the liver. Therefore, this project aims to determine fibrogenesis in the liver of obese humans in vivo, before and after weight loss.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Body mass index ≥35 kg/m2
• Scheduled for Bariatric surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• Significant organ disfunction/disease
• Tobacco use
• Previous bariatric surgery
• Pregnancy
• Excessive alcohol use
• Liver disease other than NAFLD