The Effects of Surgically Removing Subcutaneous Fat on the Metabolic Profile and Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Women after Large-Volume Liposuction Treatment

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the effects of surgically removing subcutaneous fat on the metabolic profile and insulin sensitivity in obese women after large-volume liposuction treatment. An open clinical trial with a non-intervention parallel group was carried out on 12 young, obese women. After randomization, six volunteers were selected to the surgical intervention consisting of large-volume liposuction; the other six women were considered as the non-intervention group. Metabolic profiles and insulin tolerance tests to assess insulin sensitivity were performed on all volunteers before intervention or non-intervention and 21 - 28 days afterwards. There were a significant decrease in glucose (4.9 ± 0.4 vs. 4.6 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p < 0.05) and uric acid (250.8 ± 56.2 vs. 224.0 ± 53.4 µmol/l, p < 0.05) levels after liposuction; insulin sensitivity improved after the surgical intervention (4.3 ± 0.9 vs. 5.3 ± 0.8 %/min, p = 0.046). In conclusion, surgical removal of subcutaneous fat by large-volume liposuction led to an improvement in insulin sensitivity and a decrease in glucose and uric acid concentrations.