Emerging markers of atherosclerosis before and after bariatric surgery

The objective of this study was to assess the emerging biochemical markers of arterial remodeling in patients with morbid obesity before and after surgical treatment and to compare the results to a control group.

The prospective study included 40 patients with BMI 47.73 ± 6.18 kg/m(2), qualified for elective bariatric surgery and re-examined 6 months after the surgery. The control group consisted of non obese, age and sex matched 15 subjects. Following laboratory examinations were performed in all patients: basic laboratory examinations, MMP-2, MMP-9, adiponectin, PAI-1, CD40L, E-selectin.

Examination of patients 6 m after bariatric surgery revealed a 34.57 ± 9.71 reduction in excess body weight. Comparison of the study group at two time points revealed differences in adiponectin, MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels. Hypoadiponectinemia was observed in 35 % patients 6 months after bariatric surgery compared to 90 % patients before the surgery. In addition, a strong correlation was observed between body fat mass and adiponectin levels (r = -0.504, p = 0.055). Moderate correlations were demonstrated between E-selectin levels and BMI (r = 0.361; p = 0.022), and metalloproteinase-9 levels (r = 0.326; p = 0.040). In addition, strong relationship was demonstrated between MMP-2 and MMP-9 (r = 0.502; p = 0.001), and moderate between MMP-2 and adiponectin levels (r = 0.449; p = 0.003). MMP-9 levels were moderately correlated with HDL-cholesterol levels (r = 0.316; p = 0.046).

Assessment of laboratory markers of arterial remodeling and metabolism suggest their adverse changes in patients with morbid obesity. However, body mass reduction due to bariatric surgery decreases inflammatory status, improves biochemical markers of arterial remodeling as well as to beneficial changes in the metabolism.