Research focus
Our preclinical and clinical research focuses on the pathomechanisms of obesity and metabolic syndrome on fibrogenesis in metabolic-dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and on the effects of bariatric-metabolic surgery on the interaction between intestine, liver and adipose tissue.
Bariatric-metabolic surgery leads to an efficient weight reduction and thus to a significant improvement of MAFLD. Despite the outstanding improvement or complete reversal of fatty liver and steatohepatitis, an increase in liver fibrosis has been described in up to 19% of patients following bariatric-metabolic surgery. In rare cases, even liver dysfunction was observed. The underlying cause of fibrosis progression/liver dysfunction, which occurs rarely but with detrimental consequences, is not clear.
As part of our basic scientific research, we are investigating which underlying molecular mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis in patients with obesity and after bariatric-metabolic surgery. Aspects of molecular nutrition and immune regulation are of particular interest. These areas are investigated both in our clinical studies, in vivo (also in a rat model) and in vitro (using cell cultures). The analysis of biological materials from in vivo and in vitro experiments in combination with the examination of patient samples enables us to transfer our laboratory-generated data to humans. The continuous improvement of patient care is always at the centre of our research.
Another essential goal of our working group is the further development and improvement of surgical methods for bariatric-metabolic interventions. Thus, the randomised controlled Bilitec study is investigating the influence of anti-reflux sutures on bile reflux in patients undergoing a single-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB).
Team
Prof. Gerhard PRAGER, MD
Magdalena MAIRINGER, MD, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Christine MÖLZER
Postdoctoral Fellow
Prof. Moritz FELSENREICH, MD, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Denisa ZRUBECKÁ, MSc
Predoctoral Fellow
Paula RICHWIEN, MD
Predoctoral Fellow
Natalie VOCK, MD, BSc
Predoctoral Fellow
Publications
Accuracy of non-invasive liver stiffness measurement and steatosis quantification in patients with severe and morbid obesity M Eilenberg, P Munda, J Stift, F Langer, G Prager, M Trauner, K Staufer Hepatobiliary Surg Nutr 2021 Oct;10(5):610-622. doi: 10.21037/hbsn-20-787.
Combined effects of PNPLA3, TM6SF2 and HSD17B13 variants on severity of biopsy-proven non-alcoholic fatty liver disease R. Paternostro, K. Staufer, S Traussnigg , A-F Stättermayer , E Halilbasic, O Keritam, E L Meyer , Judith Stift, F Wrba , B Sipos, A Canbay , M Schlattjan , E Aigner, C Datz, F Stickel, C Schafmayer, J Hampe, S Buch, G Prager, P Munda, M Mandorfer, P Ferenci, M Trauner Hepatol Int 2021 Aug;15(4):922-933. doi: 10.1007/s12072-021-10200-y. Epub 2021 Jun 2
Antibody-mediated targeting of cleavage-specific OPN-T cell interactions. Wanko B, Tardelli M, Jürets A, Neuhofer A, Prager G, Morser J, Leung LL, Staffler G, Zeyda M, Stulnig TM.PLoS One. 2019 Apr 5;14(4):e0214938. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214938.
Significant Liver-Related Morbidity After Bariatric Surgery and Its Reversal-a Case Series. M Eilenberg, FB Langer, A Beer, M Trauner, G Prager, K Staufer. Obes Surg. 2018 Mar;28(3):812-819. doi: 10.1007/s11695-017-2925-x.
The non-invasive serum biomarker soluble Axl accurately detects advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Staufer K, Dengler M, Huber H, Marculescu R, Stauber R, Lackner C, Dienes HP, Kivaranovic D, Schachner C, Zeitlinger M, Wulkersdorfer B, Rauch P, Prager G, Trauner M, Mikulits W.Cell Death Dis. 2017 Oct 26;8(10):e3135. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2017.554.
Adiponectin regulates aquaglyceroporin expression in hepatic stellate cells altering their functional state.Tardelli M, Moreno-Viedma V, Zeyda M, Itariu BK, Langer FB, Prager G, Stulnig TM.J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017 Jan;32(1):253-260. doi: 10.1111/jgh.13415.
Upregulated TNF Expression 1 Year After Bariatric Surgery Reflects a Cachexia-Like State in Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue. Jürets A, Itariu BK, Keindl M, Prager G, Langer F, Grablowitz V, Zeyda M, Stulnig TM. Obes Surg. 2017 Jun;27(6):1514-1523. doi: 10.1007/s11695-016-2477-5.
The Effect of Roux-en-Y vs. Omega-Loop Gastric Bypass on Liver, Metabolic Parameters, and Weight Loss. Kruschitz R, Luger M, Kienbacher C, Trauner M, Klammer C, Schindler K, Langer FB, Prager G, Krebs M, Ludvik B. Obes Surg. 2016 Sep;26(9):2204-2212. doi: 10.1007/11695-016-2083-6.
Grants
17012- Mayor's Medical and Scientific Fund award
Prospective, randomised, controlled study of the Omega Loop gastric bypass with and without anti-reflux sutures - a pilot study
V-940 Elise Richter Post-Doc Grant of the FWF
Gut permeability and bariatric metabolic surgery
21119 - Mayor's Medical and Scientific Fund award
Gut permeability in patients with fatty liver disease before and after bariatric metabolic surgery - a prospective cohort study
Clinical studies
GUTPERM
Intestinal permeability in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease undergoing bariatric-metabolic surgery - a prospective cohort study
NCT05257200
Status: Active recruiting
Sponsor: Medical University of Vienna
magdalena.mairinger@meduniwien.ac.at
Paula.richwien@meduniwien.ac.at
BILITEC
Biliary Reflux in One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass with and without Anti-Reflux Sutures – A Randomized Controlled Trial
NCT03097887
Status: Active, recruiting
Sponsor: Medical University of Vienna
moritz.felsenreich@meduniwien.ac.at
natalie.vock@meduniwien.ac.at
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Gerhard PRAGER
Professor for Bariatric Surgery
Head Metabolische und Bariatrische Chirurgie
gerhard.prager@meduniwien.ac.at
Office 7C
Tel.: +43 (0)1 40400-56811
Tina Erber
tina erber@meduniwien.ac.at
Room 07.C1.09