Changes in abdominal fat depots after bariatric surgery are associated with improved metabolic profile

Background and aims: Obesity associated with a change in the quantity and quality of fat depots. Using computed tomography (CT), we analyzed abdominal fat depots in patients with obesity after bariatric surgery according to their metabolic health status.Methods and results: We recruited 79 individuals with metabolically unhealthy obesity before bariatric surgery and compared them with age-sex matched healthy controls. The volume and fat attenuation index (FAI) of fat depots were measured using CT scans that were conducted prior to and a year after bariatric surgery. 'Metabolically healthy' was defined as having no hyperten-sion, normal fasting glucose and a waist-to-hip ratio of <1.05 for men and <0.95 for women. In-dividuals who achieved a metabolic health status conversion (MHC) (n = 29, 37%)dfrom unhealthy to healthydwere younger (p < 0.001) as compared to individuals without MHC. Pre-surgery BMI and reduction of BMI did not differ between the two groups (p = 0.099, p = 0.5730). Bariatric surgery reduced the volume and increased the FAI of fat depots. Baseline lower abdominal periaortic adipose tissue (AT) volume (p = 0.014) and great percent reduction in renal sinus AT volume after surgery (p = 0.019) were associated with MHC after surgery. Increased intraperitoneal AT FAI (p = 0.031) was also associated with MHC.Conclusion: MHC was not associated with improvement in general obesity, based on indicators such as reduction of BMI after surgery. Weight reduction induced specific abdominal fat depot changes measured by CT are positively associated with MHC.& COPY; 2022 The Italian Diabetes Society, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Ital-ian Society of Human Nutrition and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study analyzed abdominal fat depots in obese patients after bariatric surgery, focusing on their metabolic health status. The volume and fat attenuation index of fat depots were measured using CT scans. The study found that achieving metabolic health conversion was associated with changes in abdominal fat depots.