Extremely obese adolescents have a markedly higher prevalence of hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a chronic and potentially progressive liver disease associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The effect of bariatric surgery in extremely obese adolescents on outcome of NASH is unknown, and biological predictors of outcome after weight loss induced by bariatric surgery have not been defined. This proposal will address these gaps in knowledge by 1) determining the outcome of hepatic steatosis and NASH after weight loss induced by bariatric surgery in extremely obese adolescents and 2) defining the critical biological determinants of changes in steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. These goals will be accomplished by conducting a longitudinal observational study in a cohort of extremely obese adolescents with NASH undergoing bariatric surgery. Anthropometries, specific serum laboratory parameters and hepatic histology will be surveyed pre and post-surgical weight loss. Biological predictors of the histologic response of the liver to weight loss will be determined by measuring changes in hypothesized risk factors for hepatic steatosis and NASH, including central adiposity, insulin resistance, circulating free fatty acids and selected adipocytokines. To investigate molecular determinants of hepatic response, hepatic tissue expression of genes regulating lipogenesis, inflammation, apoptosis and fibrosis will be measured. A five year mentored program is proposed that will incorporate both didactic and research training and will be guided by well-established investigators in pediatric liver disease and in the genetics of obesity. The candidate's overarching career goal is to become an independent and innovative clinical research scientist focused on reducing the disease burden related to pediatric and adolescent obesity. To achieve this goal, she will pursue advanced training in 1) principles of human genomic research, 2) molecular aspects of obesity pathophysiology and 3) conduct of clinical trials in order to enable translation of novel research findings back to the bedside. Training in the ethical conduct of human research will be included. The proposed research will yield important insight into biological determinants of the response of hepatic steatosis and NASH after surgically-induced weight loss, while concurrently providing the candidate with the needed training to establish independence as a clinical research scientist. The research proposed is additionally significant because it will identify potential therapeutic targets that may reduce hepatic steatosis and inflammation, and block progression to advanced fibrosis. Further, risk factors for persistence of liver disease after bariatric surgery will be identified. The long-term impact of this study will be to enable development of more personalized and predictive diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for prevention and treatment of NASH.
| Xanthakos, Stavra A; Jenkins, Todd M; Kleiner, David E et al. (2015) High Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Adolescents Undergoing Bariatric Surgery. Gastroenterology 149:623-34.e8 |
| Mehta, Minesh; Slaughter, Crystal; Xanthakos, Stavra A et al. (2014) High prevalence of hepatitis B non-immunity in paediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients. Dig Liver Dis 46:760-1 |
| Xanthakos, Stavra A; Podberesky, Daniel J; Serai, Suraj D et al. (2014) Use of magnetic resonance elastography to assess hepatic fibrosis in children with chronic liver disease. J Pediatr 164:186-8 |
| Modi, Avani C; Zeller, Meg H; Xanthakos, Stavra A et al. (2013) Adherence to vitamin supplementation following adolescent bariatric surgery. Obesity (Silver Spring) 21:E190-5 |
| Bramlage, Kristin S; Bansal, Vivek; Xanthakos, Stavra A et al. (2013) Fatty liver disease in children--what should one do? Indian J Pediatr 80 Suppl 1:S109-14 |
| Sawhney, Payal; Modi, Avani C; Jenkins, Todd M et al. (2013) Predictors and outcomes of adolescent bariatric support group attendance. Surg Obes Relat Dis 9:773-9 |
| Huang, Jeannie S; Barlow, Sarah E; Quiros-Tejeira, Ruben E et al. (2013) Childhood obesity for pediatric gastroenterologists. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 56:99-109 |
| DeVore, Stephanie; Kohli, Rohit; Lake, Kathleen et al. (2013) A multidisciplinary clinical program is effective in stabilizing BMI and reducing transaminase levels in pediatric patients with NAFLD. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 57:119-23 |
| Jeffreys, Renee M; Hrovat, Kathleen; Woo, Jessica G et al. (2012) Dietary assessment of adolescents undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery: macro- and micronutrient, fiber, and supplement intake. Surg Obes Relat Dis 8:331-6 |
| Jenkins, Todd M; Xanthakos, Stavra A; Zeller, Meg H et al. (2011) Distance to clinic and follow-up visit compliance in adolescent gastric bypass cohort. Surg Obes Relat Dis 7:611-5 |
Showing the most recent 10 out of 17 publications
