Distinct fibrin clot characteristics in individuals with severe obesity and metabolic liver disease: 2-year follow-up after bariatric surgery

Background: Obesity predisposes individuals to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Studies in mice suggest that fibrin deposition in adipose tissue and liver promotes obesity and MASLD, but whether similar mechanisms are linked to metabolic disease in humans is incompletely studied. Objectives: This study determined the relationship between plasma fibrin clot characteristics and hepatic fibrin deposition with obesity and MASLD severity and examined changes in fibrin measures 2 years after bariatric surgery. Methods: = 58) was followed for 2 years. Clot characteristics were studied by turbidity. Hepatic tissue samples were scored for MASLD, and in 3 individuals with varying BMI, tissues were stained for fibrin. Results: , fiber diameter, and MA were lower. Staining intensity of hepatic fibrin deposits increased with obesity severity but was not clearly reduced postsurgery. Conclusion: Severe obesity and MASLD are associated with altered fibrin characteristics in plasma clots and liver tissue, suggesting fibrin(ogen) reflects metabolic alterations although the directionality remains to be clarified.