Postoperative changes in lipid profile: their relations with inflammatory markers and endocrine mediators

Postoperative changes in plasma lipid profile have been studied in six patients undergoing aortobifemoral bypass. The second day after surgery, significant changes were: decreased levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (by 55%), non HDL cholesterol (by 60%) phospholipid (by 50%), pre-beta-lipoprotein (by 70%), beta-lipoprotein (by 50%), apolipoprotein A1 (by 60%) and apolipoprotein B (by 55%). The magnitude of these changes correlated positively with serum levels of transferrin and negatively with serum levels of C-reactive protein. Triglyceride levels also showed a significant decrease (by 60%) while free fatty acids increased by 70%. Changes in triglyceride levels were not correlated with serum transferrin and C-reactive protein but showed a significant negative correlation with insulin levels. Our results suggest that both inflammatory and endocrine mediators are likely implicated in the postoperative changes in lipid profile.