Trial results assessing the impact of bariatric surgery on hepatic energy metabolism and glucose and insulin dynamics in obese youth were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2025-10-10. The study observed a mean reduction of 13.93% in liver fat per MRI in adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery.
Background
Obesity, particularly in adolescence, is a significant health concern often associated with comorbidities such as hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease). These conditions can lead to impaired hepatic energy metabolism and dysregulation of glucose and insulin dynamics. Bariatric surgery is an established intervention for severe obesity, and this study aimed to understand its specific effects on liver health and metabolic markers in younger populations.
Trial design
This completed study enrolled 20 participants, focusing on teenagers aged 13-20 years old who were candidates for bariatric surgery. The conditions investigated included Hepatic Steatosis, Bariatric Surgery Candidate, Adolescent Obesity, and Obesity. The trial's objective was to assess the impact of bariatric surgery on hepatic energy metabolism and glucose and insulin dynamics in these obese youth.
Key results
Key measurements were reported for teenagers 13-20 years old in the bariatric surgery program:
- The mean Change in Percentage of Liver Fat Per MRI was -13.93 (Standard Deviation 12.89) percentage of liver fat.
- The mean Change in %Direct TG-Glycerol Appearance was 0.33 (Standard Deviation 3.204) change in percentage of Direct TG-Glycer.
- The mean Change in Insulin Sensitivity was 0.000552758 (Standard Deviation 0.000634641) dL/kg/min/μU/mL.
- The mean Change in Peak Glucose was 11.5 (Standard Deviation 14.802) mg/dL.
- The mean Change in Minimum Glucose was -7 (Standard Deviation 15.192) mg/dL.
- The mean Change in Peak Insulin was 28.333 (Standard Deviation 62.746) uIU/mL.
- The mean Change in Minimum Insulin was -7.333 (Standard Deviation 3.7771) uIU/mL.
- The mean Change in Peak C-peptide was 1.7 (Standard Deviation 3.2323) ng/mL.
- The mean Change in Peak GLP-1 was -7.1117 (Standard Deviation 36.883) pmol/L.
- The mean Change in Fasting Glucagon was -41.333 (Standard Deviation 32.672) pg/mL.
- The mean Change in Liver Stiffness Per MRI was -0.234 (Standard Deviation 0.508) kPa.
- The mean Mitochondrial Function in the Liver Assessed by Oroboros was 0.34 (Standard Deviation 0.06) Coupling Control Ratio (unitless).
What this means
These results indicate that bariatric surgery in obese adolescents can lead to a substantial reduction in liver fat, as evidenced by the mean -13.93% change. This finding suggests a positive impact on hepatic steatosis. The observed changes in insulin sensitivity, glucose, insulin, and glucagon also highlight the broader metabolic effects of bariatric surgery in this population, potentially improving overall metabolic health.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT03587727, titled "Hepatic Mitochondrial Function in Youth", were posted on 2025-10-10 on clinicaltrials.gov.