Visceral Adipose Tissue in NAFLD and NASH Patients is Closely Associated with Liver Injury

Background and aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the more severe form non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the most common liver disease in western countries. Our aim was to investigate the interaction between adipose tissue and liver in NAFLD and NASH at the time of bariatric surgery. Methods: Visceral adipose tissue, liver tissue and blood samples were obtained from 112 (age median= 45 ± 10.4y; 85w/27 m) morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Biopsies were scored with NAFLD activity score (NAS) and patients were grouped as NAFL (NAS ≤ 4) or NASH (NAS > 4). Blood samples take…