ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Objective. Obesity is a metabolic condition characterized by increased body fat mass. Increased prevalence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and increased atherogenicity are closely associated with morbidity and mortality in obesity patients. In this study, we investigated the effect of orlistat, a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor, on atherogenicity-related and NASH-related indexes in obese patients. Material and Methods. This retrospective study was completed with a total of 139 class III obesity patients with NASH who were admitted to our hospital, creating an orlistat treatment group and a control group. NASH-related indices and atherogenicity indices were calculated at the beginning of the study. These parameters were repeated in the 12th week of the study. Statistical analyzes were performed on the entire patient population and in groups classified according to body mass index (BMI) (BMI <40 kg/m2 and BMI ≥40 kg/m2). Results. As a result of our 12-week study, in addition to the improvement in glycemic parameters and lipid profile, atherogenic indexes (Triglyceride-Glucose index and Triglyceride-Glucose-BMI index) and NASH-related indices (Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Fibrosis Score, Fibrosis-4 Index, Aspartate aminotransferase-Platelet Ratio Index) superior improvements were achieved compared to the control group (p<0.001). These improvements were similar in groups separated by BMI (p>0.05). Conclusion. In addition to its proven body weight loss effect, Orlistat may be beneficial in the treatment of atherogenicity and steatohepatitis.