Comparative effects of gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy on plasma osteopontin concentrations in humans

Background

Bariatric surgery (BS) has proven to be an effective treatment for morbid obesity. Osteopontin (OPN) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in the development of obesity. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of weight loss following BS on circulating levels of OPN in humans.

Methods

Body composition and circulating concentrations of OPN and markers of bone metabolism were determined in obese patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB; n = 40) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG; n = 11).

Results

Patients who underwent RYGB or SG showed decreased body weight (P < 0.001) and body fat percentage (P < 0.001) as well as lower insulin resistance. However, plasma OPN levels were significantly increased after RYGB (P < 0.001) but remained unchanged following SG (P = 0.152). Patients who underwent RYGB also showed significantly increased C-terminal telopeptide of type-I collagen (ICTP) (P < 0.01) and osteocalcin (P < 0.001) while bone mineral density tended to decrease (P = 0.086). Moreover, OPN concentrations were positively correlated with the bone resorption marker ICTP after surgery. On the other hand, patients who underwent SG showed significantly increased ICTP levels (P < 0.05), and the change in OPN was positively correlated with the change in ICTP and negatively with the change in vitamin D after surgery (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

RYGB increased circulating OPN levels, while they remained unaltered after SG. The increase in OPN levels after RYGB could be related to the increased bone resorption in relation to its well-known effects on bone of this malabsorptive procedure in comparison to the merely restrictive SG.     

Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy: the Same Impact on IL-6 and TNF-α. Prospective Clinical Trial

Background

Due to the association between the quantity of adipose tissue and concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), this work aimed to assess the effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) procedures on serum IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations.

Methods

This study evaluated serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels, as well as routine anthropometric and biochemical values, before and 1 year post-bariatric surgery. Fifty percent of patients (n?=?24) underwent RYGB, and 50 % (n?=?24) underwent SG. Prior to bariatric surgery, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expression levels in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were investigated in obese women.

Results

There was a significant reduction (p?<?0.05) in all anthropometric and routine biochemical measurements in patients in the RYGB and SG groups 1 year post-surgery. The serum concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α were reduced following surgery in both groups (p?<?0.05). No differences in the relative expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were found between SAT and VAT prior to bariatric surgery.

Conclusions

RYGB and SG procedures demonstrated a similar impact on adipokine levels in women 1 year post-surgery. Both techniques may improve the course of chronic diseases and the state of inflammation associated with obesity.     

Cold-activated brown adipose tissue is an independent predictor of higher bone mineral density in women

Summary

In animals, defective brown adipogenesis leads to bone loss. Whether brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass relates to bone mineral density (BMD) in humans is unclear. We determined the relationship between BAT mass and BMD by cold-stimulated positron-emission tomography (PET) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in healthy volunteers. Higher BAT mass was associated with higher BMD in healthy women, but not in men, independent of age and body composition.

Introduction

Contrary to the traditional belief that BAT is present only in infants, recent studies revealed significant depots of BAT present in adult humans. In animals, defective brown adipogenesis leads to bone loss. While white adipose tissue mass is a known determinant of BMD in humans, the relationship between BAT and BMD in humans is unclear. We thus examined the relationship between BAT and BMD in healthy adults.

Methods

BAT volume (ml) and activity (standard uptake value) were determined by ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET after overnight mild cold exposure at 19 °C, and BMD was determined by DXA.

Results

Among 24 healthy adults (age 28?±?1 years, F?=?10), BAT volumes were 82.4?±?99.5 ml in women and 49.7?±?54.5 ml in men. Women manifested significantly higher BAT activity, by 9.4?±?8.1 % (p?=?0.03), than men. BAT volume correlated positively with total and spine BMD (r ²?=?0.40 and 0.49, respectively, p?<?0.02) in women and remained a significant predictor after adjustment for age, fat, and lean body mass (p?<?0.05). Total and spine BMD were higher in women who harbored visually detectable BAT on PET images than those without by 11?±?2 % (p?=?0.02) and 22?±?2 % (p?<?0.01), respectively. No associations were observed between BAT parameters and BMD in men.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated higher BMD among healthy women with more abundant BAT, independent of age and other body compositional parameters. This was not observed in men. The data suggest that brown adipogenesis may be physiologically related to modulation of bone density.     

A Prospective Randomized Study Comparing Patients with Morbid Obesity Submitted to Sleeve Gastrectomy With or Without Omentectomy

Background

Increased visceral adipose tissue is a risk factor for the metabolic complications associated with obesity and promotes a low-grade chronic inflammatory process. Resection of the great omentum in patients submitted to a bariatric procedure has been proposed for the amelioration of metabolic alterations and the maximization of weight loss. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of omentectomy performed in patients with morbid obesity undergoing sleeve gastrectomy (SG) on metabolic profile, adipokine secretion, inflammatory status, and weight loss.

Methods

Thirty-one obese patients were randomized into two groups: SG alone or with omentectomy. Adiponectin, omentin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), blood lipids, fasting glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance were measured before surgery and at 7 days, and 1, 3 and 12 months after surgery.

Results

During the 1-year follow-up, body mass index (BMI) decreased markedly and comparably in both groups (p?<?0.001). Insulin, IL-6, and hs-CRP levels decreased significantly compared to baseline (p?<?0.05) in both groups with no significant difference between groups. Adiponectin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly and similarly increased compared to baseline (p?<?0.001) in both groups. Omentin levels increased significantly (p?<?0.05) in the control group and decreased in the omentectomy group 1 year postoperatively. There was no significant change in TNF-α levels in either group.

Conclusions

The theoretical advantages of omentectomy in regard to weight loss and obesity-related abnormalities are not confirmed in this prospective study. Furthermore, omentectomy does not induce important changes in the inflammatory status in patients undergoing SG.     

Attenuated adiposopathy in perivascular adipose tissue compared with subcutaneous human adipose tissue

Background

We hypothesized that human perivascular and subcutaneous adipose tissues hold distinct phenotypic signatures. We also evaluated the impact of clinical parameters on the adipose phenotype. Our overall goal is to understand the determinants of adipose biology so that this tissue can be manipulated therapeutically to lessen peripheral vascular disease.

Methods

Perivascular and subcutaneous adipose tissues were collected from patients undergoing lower-extremity amputation (n = 27) and protein assayed for proinflammatory mediators (ie, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, leptin, tumor necrosis factor α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and resistin), atheroprotective adiponectin, and the fibrinolysis inhibitor plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.

Results

Leptin (2.7-fold, P = .015), TNF-α (2.2-fold, P = .013), MCP-1 (1.5-fold, P = .047), and adiponectin (1.8-fold, P = .004) were more abundant in subcutaneous vs perivascular adipose tissue. Age positively correlated with perivascular adipose tissue PAI-1 expression (β = .64, P = .042), and hyperlipidemia negatively correlated with perivascular adiponectin (β = −1.18, P = .039).

Conclusions

Human perivascular and subcutaneous adipose tissues hold distinct phenotypic signatures. In amputation patients, the subcutaneous adipose tissue proinflammatory phenotype was relatively attenuated in perivascular adipose tissue.     

Pretreatment Clinical Mediastinal Nodal Bulk and Extent do not Influence Survival in N2-Positive Stage IIIA Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Trimodality Therapy

Background

Treatment for patients with N2-positive stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer has been a controversial issue. The current study evaluated the outcomes in patients treated with trimodality therapy, which consisted of neoadjuvant radiation therapy concurrent with chemotherapy followed by surgical resection, with emphasis on clinical and pathologic nodal status.

Methods

We reviewed the records of 355 patients who were treated with trimodality therapy between 1997 and 2011.

Results

After completion of neoadjuvant chemoradiation, overall down-staging and complete response rates were 50.4 % (179 patients), and 13.2 % (47 patients), respectively. With median follow-up of 35.3 months, median times of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 16.3 months and 45.5 months, respectively. Seventeen patients (4.8 %) died of postoperative complications, and the remaining 338 patients were analyzed on prognostic factors. Old age (p = 0.032), pneumonectomy (p < 0.001), and ypN+ (p < 0.001) were found to be the significant prognosticators for worse PFS, and old age (p = 0.013), pneumonectomy (p < 0.001), and ypN+ (p < 0.001) were related to worse OS. Clinical N2 status did not influence either OS or PFS: the number of involved stations (single station vs. multi-station; p = 0.187 for PFS; p = 0.492 for OS), and bulk (clinically evident vs. microscopic; p = 0.902 for PFS; p = 0.915 for OS).

Conclusion

ypN stage was the most important prognosticator for both PFS and OS; however, neither initial bulk nor extent of cN2 disease influenced prognosis. Surgery following neoadjuvant chemoradiation should have contributed to improved clinical outcomes regardless of clinical nodal bulk and extent.     

Sleeve Gastrectomy Induces Weight Loss in Diet-Induced Obese Rats Even if High-Fat Feeding Is Continued

Background

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has been used for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity as a first or definitive procedure with satisfactory results. The objective of this study in rats was to establish the effects of SG on weight loss depending on the post-surgical type of diet followed.

Methods

Thirty male Wistar rats were fed ad libitum during 3 months on a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity. After this first phase, rats were subdivided in three groups of ten rats each and underwent a sham intervention, an SG, or no surgery but were pair-fed to the amount of food eaten by the animals of the SG group. At this time point, half of the animals in each group continued to be fed on the HFD, while the other half was switched to a normal chow diet (ND). Thus, the following subgroups were established: sham-ND, sleeve-ND, pair-fed-ND as well as sham-HFD, sleeve-HFD, and pair-fed-HFD. Body weight and food intake were recorded daily for 4 weeks. The feed efficiency rate (FER) was determined from weekly weight gains and caloric consumption during this period.

Results

Statistically significant (P?<?0.05) differences in body weight were observed between the six experimental groups after 4 weeks of the interventions with rats in the sleeve-ND group experimenting the highest weight loss (?78.2?±?10.3 g) and animals in the pair-fed-HFD group exhibiting the lowest weight reduction (?4.0?±?0.1 g). Interestingly, the FER value of rats that underwent the SG and continued to be fed on a HFD was significantly (P?<?0.05) lower than that of sham operated and pair-fed animals on the same diet.

Conclusion

The positive effects of SG on weight reduction are observed in obese rats submitted to the intervention and subsequently following an ND or even an HFD.     

Pancreastatin Predicts Survival in Neuroendocrine Tumors

Background

Serum neurokinin A, chromogranin A, serotonin, and pancreastatin reflect tumor burden in neuroendocrine tumors. We sought to determine whether their levels correlate with survival in surgically managed small bowel (SBNETs) and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs).

Methods

Clinical data were collected with Institutional Review Board approval for patients undergoing surgery at one center. Progression-free (PFS) and overall (OS) survival were from the time of surgery. Event times were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method. Preoperative and postoperative laboratory values were tested for correlation with outcomes. A multivariate Cox model adjusted for confounders.

Results

Included were 98 SBNETs and 78 PNETs. Median follow-up was 3.8 years; 62 % had metastatic disease. SBNETs had lower median PFS than PNETs (2.0 vs. 5.6 years; p < 0.01). Median OS was 10.5 years for PNETs and was not reached for SBNETs. Preoperative neurokinin A did not correlate with PFS or OS. Preoperative serotonin correlated with PFS but not OS. Higher levels of preoperative chromogranin A and pancreastatin showed significant correlation with worse PFS and OS (p < 0.05). After multivariate adjustment for confounders, preoperative and postoperative pancreastatin remained independently predictive of worse PFS and OS (p < 0.05). Whether pancreastatin normalized postoperatively further discriminated outcomes. Median PFS was 1.7 years in patients with elevated preoperative pancreastatin versus 6.5 years in patients with normal levels (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Higher pancreastatin levels are significantly associated with worse PFS and OS in SBNETs and PNETs. This effect is independent of age, primary tumor site, and presence of nodal or metastatic disease. Pancreastatin provides valuable prognostic information and identifies surgical patients at high risk of recurrence who could benefit most from novel therapies.     

Sonographic evaluation of para- and perirenal fat thickness is an independent predictor of early kidney damage in obese patients

Purpose

To determine whether para- and perirenal fat ultrasonographic thickness (PFUT) is related to increased urinary albumin excretion and whether PFUT is an independent indicator of early kidney damage in obese subjects.

Method

Sixty-seven nonhypertensive, nondiabetic obese patients and 34 age- and sex-matched normal healthy volunteers were involved in this study. Clinical characteristics, blood biochemistry, PFUT, and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) of the subjects were measured. The intraoperator and interoperator coefficient of variation was 5.6 and 3.2 %, respectively.

Results

ACR and PFUT were significantly higher in obese patients than those of normal healthy volunteers. PFUT was higher in obese patients with microalbuminuria than those with normoalbuminuria. Correlation analysis showed PFUT had a positive correlation with body mass index (BMI, r = 0.677, P < 0.01), waist circumference (WC, r = 0.686, P < 0.01), plasma free fatty acids (FFAs, r = 0.589, P < 0.01), and ACR (r = 0.610, P < 0.01). ACR had a positive correlation with BMI (r = 0.444, P < 0.01), WC (r = 0.440, P < 0.01), and plasma FFAs (r = 0.496, P < 0.01). Multivariate regression analyses showed that ACR could be predicted by PFUT.

Conclusions

PFUT may be an independent predictor of early kidney damage in nonhypertensive, nondiabetic obese patients, and PFUT could be a useful tool for the assessment of visceral fat and early kidney damage in obese patients.     

Revisional surgery after failed adjustable gastric banding: institutional experience with 90 consecutive cases

Background

Revisional surgery may be required in a high percentage of patients (up to 30 %) after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). We report our institutional experience with revisional surgery.

Methods

From January 1996 to November 2011, 90 patients underwent revisional surgery after failed LAGB. Both Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) were proposed. In the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophageal dysmotility, hiatal hernia, or diabetes, RYGB was preferentially proposed.

Results

In two cases, revisional surgery was aborted due to local severe adhesions. Eighty-eight patients (74 females; mean age 42.79 ± 10.03 years; mean BMI 44.73 ± 6.19 kg/m²) successfully underwent revisional SG (n = 48) or RYGB (n = 40). One-stage surgery was performed in 29 cases. Follow-up rate was 78.2 % (n = 61) and 40.9 % (n = 36) at 12 and 24 months respectively. One major complication after SG (staple-line leakage) was observed. Overall postoperative excess weight loss (%EWL) was 31.24, 40.92, 52.41, and 51.68 % at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months of follow-up respectively. There was a statistically significant higher %EWL at 1 year in patients <50 years old (55.9 vs. 41.5 % in patients >50 years old; p = 0.01), of female gender (55.22 vs. 40.73 % in male; p = 0.04), and in patients in which the AGB was in place for <5 years (57.09 vs. 47.43 % if >5 years p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Revisional surgery is safe and effective. Patients <50 years, of female gender, and with the AGB in place for <5 years had better %EWL after revisional surgery.     

Decreased expression of aquaporin 2 in the collecting duct of mice lacking the vasopressin V1a receptor

Background

Vasopressin V1a receptor null (V1aR^?/?) mice recently showed incomplete urinary concentration due to higher urine volume during control and water diuresis (euhydration), but showed normal response during dehydration (Aoyagi et al., Am J Physiol 295: F100–7, 2008).

Methods

Water balance, plasma vasopressin, plasma and urine osmolality, and aquaporin 2 (AQP2) expression in the kidney of wild-type (WT) and V1aR^?/? mice were therefore further examined using improved methods of urine collection (urinary bladder urine).

Results

V1aR^?/? mice demonstrated a lower urine osmolality (3,360 ± 138 vs. 3,610 ± 47 mOsm/kgH₂O) and a higher plasma osmolality (354.3 ± 1.3 vs. 342.5 ± 1.5 mOsm/kgH₂O) after dehydration for 24 h compared to WT mice (P < 0.05). In contrast, the plasma vasopressin concentration was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in the V1aR^?/? mice (48.8 ± 4.8 vs. 22.1 ± 2.4 pg/ml). On the other hand, although the AQP2 protein expression in the kidney was increased after dehydration, the basal (control) and dehydration-induced AQP2 protein levels were significantly lower in V1aR^?/? mice compared to WT mice (by Western blotting). Staining by an anti-AQP2 antibody in the luminal membrane of the collecting ducts was increased in both V1aR^?/? and WT mice after dehydration, but was relatively weaker in the V1aR^?/? mice (by immunohistochemistry). Moreover, urinary excretion of AQP2 protein, an index of the luminal AQP2 expression, was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the V1aR^?/? mice.

Conclusion

V1aR signaling may be fundamentally important for the expression of AQP2 in the collecting ducts during control conditions and dehydration.     

Gastric Histopathology in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Pre- and Post-Operative Comparison

Background

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) produces excellent results in weight reduction and resolution of comorbidities. The histology of the gastric mucosa can be affected by the surgical procedure, with alterations of inflammatory patterns. The objective of this study is to evaluate alterations of the inflammatory patterns of the gastric mucosa in SG and the results in weight loss and resolution of comorbidities.

Methods

Morbidly obese patients were selected to undergo SG. Endoscopies were performed pre-operatively and post-operatively after 6 months, with an incisura and 3 cm before the pylorus biopsies. Data on weight, height, and associated diseases were collected. The data were compared, and the biopsies evaluate the inflammatory patterns.

Results

There was a reduction of body weight with a pre-operative weight of 132.5?±?15.7 kg and a post-operative weight of 95.8 ±10.6 kg with a p?<?0.001. Also, the body mass index (BMI) was reduced significantly with a mean pre-operative of 42.6?±?10.6 kg/m² and a post-operative of 30.9?±?3.2 kg/m² with a p?<?0.001. The comorbidities were all resolved or improved. The pattern of gastric histology showed chronic gastritis with inflammatory activity associated with Helicobacter pylori in 33.3 % of the patients, along with foveolar hyperplasia at 58.3 %. The chronic gastritis with discrete inflammatory activity was reduced by 16.7 %, and the foveolar hyperplasia was reduced by 33.3 %.

Conclusion

The inflammatory alterations in the pre-operative period were mainly foveolar hyperplasia and chronic gastritis associated with H. pylori, and they were reduced in the post-operative period. A significant reduction of weight and BMI occurred, and a resolution of comorbidities was observed.     

The inflammatory response in transgastric surgery: gastric content leak leads to localized inflammatory response and higher adhesive disease

Background

Risk of gastric spillage during transgastric surgery is a potential complication of NOTES procedures. The aim of this study was to determine risk outcomes from gastric spillage in a rat survival model by measuring local and systemic inflammatory markers, adhesive disease, and morbidity.

Methods

We performed a minilaparotomy with needle aspiration of 2 ml of gastric contents mixed with 2 ml of sterile saline (study group, SG) or 4 ml of sterile saline (control group, CG) injected into the peritoneal cavity of 60 male rats. Inflammatory markers (TNFα, IL-6, and IL-10) were analyzed at 1, 3, 6, and 24 h postoperatively by obtaining plasma levels and peritoneal washings. At necropsy, the peritoneal cavity was examined grossly for adhesions.

Results

Adhesions were seen more frequently in the SG versus the CG (100% vs. 33.3%, p < 0.014). There was a significant difference in the peritoneal TNFα levels in the SG compared with the CG, which peaked 1 h after surgery (p < 0.02). Both peritoneal IL-6 and IL-10 levels were higher in the SG versus the CG, which peaked 3 h after surgery (p < 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). All peritoneal inflammatory markers returned to undetectable levels at 24 h for both groups. Plasma cytokines were undetectable at all time intervals.

Conclusion

The inflammatory response was found to be a localized and not systemic event, with plasma cytokine levels remaining normal while peritoneal washings revealed a brisk, short-lived localized inflammatory response. There was a significantly higher rate of adhesive disease in the SG compared with the CG; this, however did not translate into a difference in apparent clinical outcome. We conclude that gastric leakage in this NOTES rodent model induces a localized inflammatory response, followed by mild to moderate adhesive disease. This may be important in human NOTES.     

Patient and Process Factors Associated with Late-Stage Breast Cancer Diagnosis in Safety-Net Patients: A Pilot Prospective Study

Background

Following reforms to our city’s Safety-Net (SN) breast cancer referral process, we investigated whether factors often associated with late-stage diagnosis would differ by referral source—SN versus non-Safety-Net (NSN)—or, among SN patients, by stage at diagnosis.

Methods

From September 2008 to June 2010, SN patients with any-stage (0-IV) and NSN patients with late-stage (IIB-IV) breast cancer were identified prospectively during initial cancer-center consultations. Data were analyzed using logistic regression, chi-square, and t tests; two-tailed P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Fifty-seven women completed interviews (33 SN, 24 NSN); 52 % of SN-referred patients were diagnosed with late-stage disease. Compared with NSN late-stage patients, SN late-stage patients were more likely to be African-American (83 % vs. 21 %, P < 0.001), to have an annual household income <$25,000 (89 % vs. 38 %, P < 0.001), and to report having a health problem in the preceding year but not being able to see a doctor because of cost (67 % vs. 25 %, P = 0.012); they were less likely to be married/partnered (22 % vs. 79 %, P < 0.001) and to have post-college education (0 % vs. 25 %, P < 0.03), any insurance (61 % vs. 96 %, P < 0.005), and to have sought medical attention within 1 week of realizing they had concerning breast findings (50 % vs. 79 %, P = 0.047). Married/partnered patients were more likely to delay medical care by >1 week (odds ratio = 9.9, P = 0.038).

Conclusions

SN patients presented with higher-than-expected rates of late-stage disease despite improvements in mammography rates and the referral process. Efforts to further facilitate access to care for this vulnerable SN patient population are needed.     

Colorectal Cancer with Synchronous Resectable Liver Metastases: Monocentric Management in a Hepatobiliary Referral Center Improves Survival Outcomes

Background

Management of patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases (SCRLM) should be individually tailored. This study compares patients managed by hepatobiliary centers from diagnosis with those referred for liver resection (LR).

Methods

Between 1998 and 2010, a total of 284 patients with SCRLM underwent resection; 106 resectable patients (1–3 unilobar metastases, diameter <100 mm, liver-only disease) were divided into two groups: 66 managed from diagnosis (group A) and 40 referred for LR (group B).

Results

Group A contained a greater proportion of multiple metastases (55.0 vs. 34.8 %, P = 0.042). Group B always received colorectal surgery as up-front treatment (vs. 18.2 %, P < 0.0001). In group B, chemotherapy before LR was more common (72.5 vs. 33.3 %, P = 0.0001) and lasted longer (P = 0.010). More patients in group B exhibited disease progression before LR (17.5 vs. 3.0 %, P = 0.025). Group A underwent fewer surgical procedures (80.3 % simultaneous resection vs. 0 %, P < 0.00001), with similar short-term outcomes. After a median follow-up of 42.0 months, group A exhibited higher 5 year disease-free survival (DFS, 64.8 vs. 30.8 %, P = 0.005) and fewer extrahepatic recurrences (21.5 vs. 47.5 %, P = 0.005). The late-referral group (>6 months, n = 24) had shorter median overall survival (OS) and DFS than group A (49.1 and 25.3 months vs. not achieved and not achieved, P < 0.05). The early-referral group exhibited OS and DFS similar to group A. Multivariate analysis confirmed late referral as a negative predictive factor of OS and DFS.

Conclusions

Monocentric management of SCRLM in hepatobiliary centers is associated with shorter preoperative chemotherapy, better disease control, fewer surgical procedures (simultaneous resection), and, compared with late-referred patients, better survival.     

Effect of Sleeve Gastrectomy Plus Side-to-Side Jejunoileal Anastomosis for Type 2 Diabetes Control in an Obese Rat Model

Background

Sleeve gastrectomy plus side-to-side jejunoileal anastomosis (JI-SG), a relatively new approach to bariatric surgeries, has shown promising results for treating obesity and metabolic comorbidities. This study investigated the feasibility and safety of JI-SG in weight loss and diabetes remission compared with sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).

Methods

Forty 10-week-old male Zucker diabetic fatty rats were randomly assigned to four groups: control, SG, JI-SG, and RYGB. Their body weights, food intake, and levels of gut hormones (ghrelin, insulin, and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)) and lipids were measured.

Results

Rats in the SG, JI-SG, and RYGB groups demonstrated lower food intake and more weight loss 2 weeks postoperatively compared with control rats. Furthermore, rats in the JI-SG group achieved more weight loss (mean 242.7?±?11.2 g) compared with those in the SG and RYGB groups (SG, 401.4?±?15.1 g and RYGB, 298?±?12 g, both P?<?0.01). All surgery groups demonstrated a decreased fasting insulin, serum glucose, lipid levels, and increased GLP-1 postoperatively. The JI-SG group had lower fasting ghrelin levels than the RYGB group (168?±?19.8 ng/L vs. 182?±?16.7 ng/L, P?<?0.01) and higher fasting GLP-1 levels than the SG group (1.99?±?0.11 pmol/L vs. 1.71?±?0.12 pmol/L, P?<?0.01) at 12 weeks postoperatively. Over the experimental period, the ghrelin levels slowly increased in all surgical groups but remained lower than the preoperative and control levels.

Conclusions

JI-SG induced higher ghrelin and GLP-1 levels and improved glycemic control in Zucker diabetic fatty rats. Compared with SG and RYGB, JI-SG appeared to be a simple, relatively safe, and more effective procedure for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity in this animal model.

     

Effectiveness of Intragastric Balloon Treatment for Obese Patients: One-Year Follow-up After Balloon Removal

Background

The Bioenterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB) is effective for weight loss. However, comparisons of its effectiveness between groups with different body mass index (BMI) are rare. This study compared the effectiveness of BIB treatment in patients with BMI <32 kg/m² and those with BMI ≧32 kg/m² at the time of BIB removal and at 1 year later.

Methods

Between April 2009 and June 2011, 28 obese patients who completed a full course of BIB treatment were enrolled. There are 16 patients with BMI <32 and 12 with BMI ≧32. Patients who lost more than 20 % of excess weight (% EWL) were categorized as responders.

Results

The BMI significantly fell from 32.4?±?3.7 to 28.5?±?3.7 kg/m² (P?<?0.01) at the time of BIB removal. All biochemical measurements except for cholesterol level were significantly improved. The median value of %EWL of all patients at BIB removal was 40.1, and 20 patients (71.4 %) were responders. Adherence to dietitian counseling was significantly better in responders than in non-responders (85 vs. 25 %, respectively; P?<?0.01). The percentage of responders at 1 year after BIB removal was significantly higher among patients with BMI <32 than those with ≧32 (62.5 vs. 16.7 %, respectively; P?=?0.02).

Conclusions

BIB placement can achieve significant weight loss and improvement of co-morbidities in obese patients. Better adherence to dietitian counseling is associated with better response. Patients with BMI <32 maintain better weight loss at 1 year after BIB removal.     

Serum Vitamin D Increases with Weight Loss in Obese Subjects 6 Months After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Background

Malabsorptive surgical procedures lead to deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins. However, results concerning serum vitamin D (25OHD) after gastric bypass (GBP) are controversial. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of GBP on 25OHD and calcium metabolism.

Methods

Parameters of calcium metabolism were evaluated in 202 obese subjects before and 6 months after GBP. Thirty of them were matched for age, gender, weight, skin color, and season with 30 subjects who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (SG). A multivitamin preparation that provides 200 to 500 IU vitamin D3 per day was systematically prescribed after surgery.

Results

In the 202 patients after GBP, serum 25OHD significantly increased from 13.4?±?9.1 to 22.8?±?11.3 ng/ml (p?<?0.0001), whereas parathyroid hormone (PTH) did not change. Despite a decrease in calcium intake (p?<?0.0001) and urinary calcium/creatinine ratio (p?=?0.015), serum calcium increased after GBP (p?<?0.0001). Preoperatively, 91 % of patients had 25OHD insufficiency (<30 ng/ml), 80 % deficiency (<20 ng/ml), and 19 % secondary hyperparathyroidism (>65 pg/ml) vs. 76, 44, and 17 %, respectively, following GBP. Serum 25OHD was negatively correlated with BMI at 6 months after GBP (R?=??0.299, p?<?0.0001). In the two groups of 30 subjects, serum 25OHD and PTH did not differ at 6 months after GBP or SG.

Conclusions

At 6 months after GBP, serum 25OHD significantly increased in subjects supplemented with multivitamins containing low doses of vitamin D. These data suggest that weight loss at 6 months after surgery has a greater influence on vitamin D status than malabsorption induced by GBP.