Impact of bariatric surgery on body composition and metabolism among obese Asian Indians with prediabetes and diabetes

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in body composition, central obesity (visceral and liver fat), and proinflammatory markers after bariatric surgery in obese Asian Indians with prediabetes and diabetes. Materials and Methods: This is 1-year follow-up study of 30 obese patients (BMI of 30–40kg/m2 ) with prediabetes and diabetes who underwent bariatric surgery at tertiary diabetes center in South India. HbA1c, adiponectin, liver enzymes, ferritin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were tested before surgery and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Body composition analysis and ultrasound hepatic fat grading were done before and at 6 and 12 months’ post-surgery. Results: The baseline HbA1c were 8.3 ± 1.8% which reduced to 6.1 ± 0.8% at 12 months. The percent body fat, visceral fat area, and slim lean mass reduced significantly at 12 months compared with baseline (P < 0.001). Hepatic steatosis and liver enzymes also significantly reduced at 12 months compared with baseline. hs-CRP and ferritin significantly reduced (P < 0.05) at 12 months post-op [2.9 ± 2.8mg/L, 39 ± 29ng/mL] compared with baseline [7.5 ± 3.5mg/L, 61 ± 44ng/mL], respectively. Serum adiponectin levels significantly increased from 26.4 ± 1.4 to 67 ± 3.5ng/mL after the surgery. Conclusion: Bariatric surgery is effective in reducing total body fat and visceral fat area, hepatic steatosis with an improvement in liver enzyme levels after bariatric surgery. hs-CRP, ferritin, and adiponectin also significantly improved following surgery.