Razak Hady

Impact of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on body mass index, ghrelin, insulin and lipid levels in 100 obese patients

Introduction A high percentage of patients benefit from bariatric procedures in terms of metabolic effect and substantial body mass reduction. These procedures improve glucose metabolism leading to the amelioration or complete resolution of type 2 diabetes, reduction of insulin resistance and alleviation of metabolic syndrome effects. Aim To assess the impact of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on the plasma levels of ghrelin, insulin, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) fractions as well as aspartate and alanine transaminases in patients with obesity. Material and methods One hundred patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in our centre between 2005 and 2009 were included in the study. Among them were 48 males with an average age of 47.93 ±9.24 years and 52 females with an average age of 44.19 ±9.33 years. Percentage excess weight loss (%EWL), percentage excess body mass index (BMI) loss (%EBL), ghrelin, insulin, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, alanine transferase (ALT), and asparagine transferase (AST) were measured preoperatively and on the 7th day then 1, 3 and 6 months after the surgery. Results Statistically significant reduction in postoperative BMI, plasma levels of glucose and insulin as well as the homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA IR) score was noted in comparison to the preoperative values. The ghrelin levels decreased. Lipid profile, AST and ALT levels varied depending on the particular time points. Conclusions Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy reduces body mass and leads to the decrease of concentration of ghrelin in plasma as well as to the improvement of metabolism of insulin, glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides. The above changes alleviated symptoms of metabolic syndrome and obesity related co-morbidities.

Assessment of dietary habits, nutritional status and blood biochemical parameters in patients prepared for bariatric surgery: a preliminary study

Introduction Morbid obesity needs to be treated by bariatric procedures. Proper dietary preparation of patients before surgery conditions their postoperative status. Aim Assessment of dietary habits, nutritional status and biochemical parameters of the blood in patients being prepared for different bariatric procedures. Material and methods The study involved a group of 27 obese adults: 19 women (mean age: 40.4 ±13.9 years) and 8 men (mean age: 39.6 ±12.7 years) qualified for bariatric procedures. Body composition, dietary habits and selected biochemical parameters of blood were assessed. Statistical analysis of the results was conducted using Statistica 9.0. Results Daily food rations consumed by women provided 1910.6 ±915.9 kcal/day, and by men 2631 ±1463.2 kcal/day on average. In both groups, the consumption of major nutrients was found to be inadequate. In both groups, deficiency was observed in the dietary intake of folic acid and potassium. Additionally, there was a decrease in the intake of vitamin D3, calcium and iron in women and magnesium in men. In the two groups, disturbances were noted in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Conclusions Our study indicates the necessity for dietary instructions in bariatric patients with regard to proper dietary habits and to reduce the risk of malnutrition before and after surgery.

The influence of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on weight loss, plasma ghrelin, insulin, glucose and lipids

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of laparoscopic gastric banding and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on the concentration of ghrelin, insulin, glucose, triglycerides, total and HDL-cholesterol, as well as AST and ALT levels in plasma in patients with obesity. The research includes 200 patients operated using LAGB (34 men average age 37.0 ± 12.6 years and 66 women average age 39.18 ± 12.17 years) and LSG (48 men average age 47.93 ± 9.24 years and 52 women, 19 ± 9.33 years). The percentage of effective weight loss, effective BMI loss, concentration of ghrelin, insulin, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, ALT, AST and HOMA IR values was taken preoperatively and at 7th day, 1 month, 3 and 6 months after surgery. Both after LSG and after LAGB, statistically significant reduction in BMI, serum insulin, glucose and HOMA IR was noticed in comparison to the preoperative values. Post LAGB, patients showed an increase of ghrelin, while LSG proved ghrelin decreased. Correlations between glucose and BMI loss, and between insulin and BMI loss in both cases are more favorable in the LSG group. Lipid parameters, AST and ALT have undergone declines or increases in the particular time points. Both techniques cause weight loss and this way lead to changes in the concentration of ghrelin, as well as to the improvement of insulin, glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides metabolism. They reduce metabolic syndrome and multiple comorbidities of obesity.

The activity of gastric ghrelin positive cells in obese patients treated surgically

Ghrelin is a 28 amino acid peptide hormone regulating food intake and stimulating releasement of growth hormone. It is produced in a distinct endocrine call known as X/A - like cells. The most abundant source of this very important factor in energy homeostasis is gastric fundus. Regulatory mechanisms of ghrelin synthesis and secretion in physiological and pathological states are not discovered completely. The aim of our study was evaluation of the activity of gastric X/A-like cells in obese patients before and after the most popular surgical bariatric procedures - Roux - Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) and Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB). Obese patients in number 18 took part in the study. LAGB was performed in 7 patients and RYGB in 11 patients. Peripheral blood was taken from each patient before operation and first day, seventh day, one month and three months after surgery. Ghrelin level was determined by RIA technique. The specimen of stomach was taken from circular stapler after gastrojejunostomy during RYGB and immunohistochemical study of gastric mucosa, using the EnVision method and specific monoclonal antybodies against ghrelin was performed. The intensity of ghrelin-immunoreactivity in X/A-like cells was analyzed using Olympus Cell D image analysis system. Efficiency of bariatric procedures was estimated by EWL- excess weight loss. We observed very strong immunohistochemical reactions of gastric X/A-like cells, accompanied by lower ghrelin plasma concentration, in comparison to the control group. LAGB procedure induced increase of ghrelin plasma level while RYGB procedure induced decrease of this hormone. The main finding of the present study is the hypoactivity of gastric X/A-like cells in obese patients in comparison to the control group.

Variation in blood levels of hormones in obese patients following weight reduction induced by endoscopic and surgical bariatric therapies.

BACKGROUND Beneficial clinical effects of weight reduction following bariatric therapies is not fully understood and maybe related to the complex interactions between leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, omentin, and ghrelin. The aim of study was to investigate their timeline changes associated with weight reduction and their profile in relation to the type of treatment and its efficacy. METHODS Circulating hormones levels were analyzed before and after endoscopic and surgical procedures in 67 obese patients and compared to non-obese healthy controls. RESULTS Obese patients had higher leptin levels and lower levels of adiponectin, visfatin, omentin, and ghrelin than non-obese controls. During the consecutive follow-up visits after treatment, there was a gradual decrease in leptin levels and an increase in adiponectin levels to the levels observed in non-obese. At 50-54weeks, the ghrelin levels were lower and the levels of adiponectin and visfatin, but not omentin, were higher compared to their baseline values. BMI correlated with ghrelin and leptin levels. The percentage of total weight loss correlated positively with adiponectin levels and negatively with leptin levels. Patients with adequate weight loss had a significantly lower leptin concentration than those with treatment failure. There were timeline variations in hormone levels between endoscopic and bariatric therapies, however there were no significant differences in the median their concentration at 50-54weeks after therapy. CONCLUSION Our study supports observations that weight loss itself, rather than the procedure type, is responsible for hormonal variation. The leptin levels reflect the best the body weight changes after bariatric therapies.

Complications after laparoscopic gastric banding in own material.

Introduction Complications after bariatric procedures are the most difficult to diagnose among all complications in abdominal surgery. Furthermore, they are extremely difficult to treat conservatively and surgically. Laparoscopic treatment of complications after bariatric procedures requires great skills. Complications after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) are remarkably diverse. Aim Presentation of complications after LAGB in our own material. Material and methods From 2005 to 2010, in the 1st Department of General and Endocrine Surgery, in 110 patients adjustable gastric banding was applied. All procedures were conducted laparoscopically. The group consisted of 76 women (69.1%) and 34 men (30.9%). The average age of women was 37.7 ±13.80 years old. The average age of men was 38.9 ±11.50 years old. The average body mass was 128.5 ±24.35 kg for women and 125.4 ±23.60 kg for men. The average body mass index (BMI) for women was 44.08 ±3.03 kg/m2 and for men 43.66 ±2.90 kg/m2. The average waist circumference was 113.5 ±12.75 cm in women and for men it was 124.40 ±14.8 cm. Results In the analysed material, which consisted of 110 patients after LAGB, 36% developed at least 1 complication. Among early complications, injury of diaphragm, pneumothorax, pleural empyema, gastric perforation and thrombophlebitis were observed. Among late complications, oesophagitis, infections around the port, migration of the gastric band into the gastric lumen, band slippage, vomiting and lack of body mass loss were observed. The most common reasons for the removal of the band were band slippage, its migration to the gastric lumen and extension of the gastric reservoir. Conclusions The LAGB is a relatively easy procedure with a short time of performance and short hospitalization. However, it can bring the risk of intraoperative, perioperative and late complications which require surgical intervention. The present research results are comparable to world data. Complications after LAGB were observed the most frequently in the first years of application of the procedure.

The clinical significance of fatty acid binding proteins

Excessive levels of free fatty acids are toxic to cells. The human body has evolved a defense mechanism in the form of small cytoplasmic proteins called fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) that bind long-chain fatty acids (LCFA), and then refer them to appropriate intracellular disposal sites (oxidation in mitochondria and peroxisomes or storage in the endoplasmic reticulum). So far, nine types of these proteins have been described, and their name refers to the place in which they were first identified or where they can be found in the greatest concentration. The most important FABPs were isolated from the liver (L-FABP), heart (H-FABP), intestine (I-FABP), brain (B-FABP), epidermis (E-FABP) and adipocytes (A-FABP). Determination of H-FABP is used in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction, and L-FABP in kidney lesions of different etiologies. It is postulated that FABPs play an important role in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. Elevated levels of A-FABP have been found in the pericardial fat tissue and were associated with cardiac dysfunction in obese people. A rise in A-FABP has been observed in patients with type II diabetes. I-FABP is known as a marker of cell damage in the small intestine. Increased concentration of B-FABP has been associated with human brain tumors such as glioblastoma and astrocytoma, as well as with neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimers, Parkinsons) and other disorders of cognitive function. The aim of this work was to present current data on the clinical significance of fatty acid binding proteins.

The impact of bariatric surgery on nutritional status of patients

Introduction Currently, surgical treatment is considered to be the most efficient method of dealing with morbid obesity. Aim To evaluate changes in nutritional status after surgical treatment of obesity in the early postoperative period. Material and methods The study included 50 patients (30 women and 20 men) treated surgically due to morbid obesity. During the preliminary visit and during control visits measurements of body mass, height, and waist and hip circumference were conducted. Also, analysis of body content was performed and blood was taken for biochemical analysis. Statistical analysis was conducted using the program Statistica 10. Results Six months after the surgery, in the group of women, significant reduction of average body mass, average waist circumference, average hip circumference and average body mass index (BMI) was observed. Also, significant reduction of the percentage of body fat and an increase in the percentage of fat-free body mass were observed. A significant decrease in muscle mass was also noted. Both in women and in men, 6 months after the surgery, a significant decrease in fasting glucose concentration, fasting insulin and triglycerides in blood serum was observed. Conclusions Bariatric procedures lead to significant body mass, BMI, waist and hip circumference reduction. Loss of body mass is caused mainly by the reduction of fat tissue. Application of surgical procedures in morbid obesity treatment also allowed us to achieve improvement in insulin, glucose and lipid metabolism.

Gastric band migration following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB): two cases of endoscopic management using a gastric band cutter.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is one of the most frequently used minimally invasive and reversible procedures for the treatment of morbid obesity. Migration of the gastric band into the gastric lumen is a rare late complication of LAGB. Previous attempts at endoscopic removal of migrated bands have included the use of endoscopic scissors, laser ablation and argon plasma coagulation (APC). We report two cases of successful endoscopic management of gastric band migration using a gastric band cutter.

Effect of BMI on quality of life and depression levels after bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND Studies conducted in Poland have found that 1% (~300,000) of Polish adults are obese. The degree of weight loss and reduction of discomfort associated with severe obesity are used to evaluate bariatric surgery outcomes. From the patients point of view, QoL and mental health are the most important determinants of successful surgery, which is why interest in QoL assessment has increased. OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of BMI on quality of life and depression levels depending on the type of bariatric surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS The group included 57 women and 43 men aged 20-60 years (mean age 40 years) with BMI from 36 to 40 (31%) and > 40 (69%). Twelve patients (12%) underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric binding (LAGB), 58 (58%) sleeve gastrectomy, and 30 (30%) Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB). The Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS) was used to assess QoL. The severity of mood disorders was assessed using the Self-Rating Scale of Depression and Anxiety. RESULTS Six months or 1 year after bariatric surgery, the number of patients with BMI > 40 had decreased from 69 to 14%. We found that the time since bariatric surgery contributed to a significant (p < 0.01) difference in BAROS outcomes. In the long-term perspective, we observed better quality of life. CONCLUSIONS MA-QoL II is a useful tool in assessing bariatric surgery, including quality of life. Long-term monitoring will be essential in determining psychological changes and the degree of weight loss.