Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) dampens liver fat reduction in participants after metabolic bariatric surgery

Motivation: Patients with MASH have increased inflammation and insulin resistance, however whether this translates to dampened liver fat reduction after weight loss is not known. Goal(s): Our goal was to assess if patients with MASH have altered liver fat reduction after weight loss. Approach: Baseline MASH status was determined in participants with obesity via biopsy during metabolic bariatric surgery. Liver PDFF was assessed by MRI pre-op and 12 months post-op and the changes were compared between groups. Results: Participants with MASH had dampened reduction of liver PDFF after metabolic bariatric surgery when controlling for baseline PDFF. Impact: For patients with obesity and MASH, adjuvant treatment may be needed to achieve the same total goal reduction in liver fat as patients without MASH.