The left gastric artery embolization as a promising method of metabolic surgery in obesity

Improvement of economic living standards, increase of ultra-processed foods availability and prevalence of hypodynamia have led to an increase in annual obesity incidence worldwide. Surgical treatment methods are indicated in presence of morbid obesity or obesity-related diseases. Objective. To perform an analysis of data from pre-clinical and clinical studies on the effectiveness and safety of endovascular embolization of the left gastric artery as a method of obesity treatment. Materials and methods. The search for scientific publications in PubMed and eLibrary databases published from 2007 to 2025 was carried out on January 15, 2025 using the following keywords: «bariatric surgery», «bariatric arterial embolization», «left gastric artery embolization», «morbid obesity». Results. Studies on animal models have confirmed the reduction of ghrelin synthesis by fundic glands of the stomach and have shown a decrease in body mass in response to the left gastric artery embolization (LGAE). In clinical studies on small cohorts of obese persons, a reduction of body mass by 6.3—20.4% from the initial body mass has been established after performing LGAE, that was accompanied by an improvement in the parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Conclusion. Left gastric artery embolization contributes to changes in metabolism at the hormonal level, creating an optimal background for adherence to healthy lifestyle and influencing eating behavior and carbohydrate metabolism.