A nomogram based on adipogenesis-related methylation sites in intraoperative visceral fat to predict EWL% at 1 year following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a crucial surgical procedure for patients with obesity. However, epigenetic research in LSG is still in its infancy from the perspective of adipogenesis.

Objectives: This work aims to develop a model to predict 1 year excess weight loss percentage (EWL)% following LSG in Chinese patients with obesity by examining the DNA methylation profiles of intraoperative visceral fat.

Setting: University hospital, Beijing, China.

Methods: Firstly, we classified patients with obesity as either the satisfied group or unsatisfied group depending on whether their EWL% was 50% or higher at 1 year following LSG. After that, we analyzed differentially methylated sites (DMSs) between the satisfied group and unsatisfied group. DMSs were mapped to the corresponding differentially methylated genes. Then, we took the intersection of adipogenesis-related genes and differentially methylated genes and obtained adipogenesis-related DMSs. Next, hub methylation sites were identified by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis. Finally, a nomogram was developed to predict EWL% of Chinese patients with obesity at 1 -year following LSG.

Results: A total of 26 patients with obesity were enrolled in the study, including 13 in the satisfied group and 13 in the unsatisfied group. A total of 16 genes and 31 DMSs were involved in the adipogenesis signaling pathway. Finally, 4 hub methylation sites (cg06093355, cg00294552, cg00753924, and cg17092065) were identified and a predictive nomogram was established.

Conclusions: The predictive nomogram based on methylation sites including cg06093355, cg00294552, cg00753924, and cg17092065 can predict EWL% at 1 year following LSG in Chinese patients with obesity efficiently.