Background: Obesity is associated with endothelial dysfunction and increased inflammation as well as with expansion of the capillary bed in regional adipose deposits, and a balance between these factors is involved in angiogenesis. Osteopontin (OPN) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in regulating immune processes and mediating chronic inflammation. Its level is usually elevated in the plasma and adipose tissue of obese subjects. E-selectin, an adhesion molecule which is released by dysfunctional endothelial cells, is believed to be a marker of an early atherosclerotic process. Endostatin (END), an angiogenesis inhibitor, is present in the blood of obese subjects. The most effective treatment to achieve weight loss in morbidly obese subjects is bariatric surgery. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the circulating concentrations of OPN, E-selectin and END as well as the insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) of severely obese patients with metabolic syndrome before and after vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG).
Material and methods: The test cohorts comprised eight males and 20 females (total 28 patients) aged from 20 to 59 years with simple obesity and the presence of metabolic syndrome, both before and 3, 6, 12, 24 months after bariatric surgery (six patients were also checked after 36 and four after 48 months).
Results: Bariatric surgery significantly reduced (over 24 months) body weight, BMI, waist circumference, HOMA-IR and blood concentrations of CRP. Plasma OPN gradually increased after VBG and E-selectin in systemic blood decreased. We did not observe any differences in END concentrations from 12 to 48 months after surgery.
Conclusion: VBG improves metabolic syndrome parameters, decreases E-selectin and gradually increases OST blood concentrations but it does not have any significant influence on END levels.
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