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16-06-2021 | Liver Transplantation | Original Article

Visceral Adipose Tissue Inflammation and Radiographic Visceral-to-Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Ratio in Patients with Cirrhosis

Authors: Nghiem B. Ha, Soo-Jin Cho, Yara Mohamad, Dorothea Kent, Grace Jun, Randi Wong, Vivek Swarnakar, Shezhang Lin, Jacquelyn J. Maher, Jennifer C. Lai

Published in: Digestive Diseases and Sciences | Issue 7/2022

Abstract

Background and Aims

Accumulation of visceral adipose tissue is associated with hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, suggestive of its metabolic and inflammatory properties. We aimed to examine the histologic findings of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue and to associate these findings with clinical and radiologic characteristics in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods

Included were 55 adults with cirrhosis who underwent liver transplantation from 3/2017–12/2018 and had an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan within 6 months prior to transplant. Visceral-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio (VSR) was calculated using visceral (VATI) and subcutaneous adipose tissue index (SATI) quantified by CT at the L3-vertebral level and normalized for height (cm²/m²). VAT (greater omentum), SAT (abdominal wall), and skeletal muscle (rectus abdominis) biopsies were collected at transplant.

Results

Majority of patients had VAT inflammation (71%); only one patient (2%) had SAT inflammation. Patients with VAT inflammation had similar median VATI (42 vs 41 cm²/m²), lower median SATI (64 vs 97 cm²/m²), and higher median VSR (0.63 vs 0.37, p = 0.002) than patients without inflammation. In univariable logistic regression, VSR was associated with VAT inflammation (OR 1.47, 95%CI 1.11–1.96); this association remained significant even after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, HCC, or MELD-Na on bivariable analyses.

Conclusion

In patients with cirrhosis undergoing liver transplantation, histologic VAT inflammation was common, but SAT inflammation was not. Increased VSR was independently associated with VAT inflammation. Given the emerging data demonstrating the prognostic value of VSR, our findings support the value of CT-quantified VSR as a prognostic marker for adverse outcomes in the liver transplant setting.

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Title: Visceral Adipose Tissue Inflammation and Radiographic Visceral-to-Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Ratio in Patients with Cirrhosis
Authors: Nghiem B. Ha
Soo-Jin Cho
Yara Mohamad
Dorothea Kent
Grace Jun
Randi Wong
Vivek Swarnakar
Shezhang Lin
Jacquelyn J. Maher
Jennifer C. Lai
Publication date: 16-06-2021
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Liver Transplantation
Obesity
Computed Tomography
Obesity
Computed Tomography
Liver Transplantation
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Liver Transplantation
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Liver Transplantation
Liver Transplantation
Published in: Digestive Diseases and Sciences / Issue 7/2022
Print ISSN: 0163-2116
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2568
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-021-07099-8

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Springer Medicine

Visceral Adipose Tissue Inflammation and Radiographic Visceral-to-Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Ratio in Patients with Cirrhosis

Abstract

Background and Aims

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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Abstract

Background and Aims

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Conclusion

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