Microglia in post-mortem brain tissue of patients with bipolar disorder are not immune activated.

Genetic, epidemiological, and biomarker studies suggest that the immune system is involved in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder (BD). It has therefore been hypothesized that immune activation of microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, is associated with the disease. Only a few studies have addressed the involvement of microglia in BD so far and a more detailed immune profiling of microglial activation is lacking. Here, we applied a multi-level approach to determine the activation state of microglia in BD post-mortem brain tissue. We did not find differences in microglial density, and mRNA expression of microglial markers in the medial frontal gyrus (MFG) of patients with BD. Furthermore, we performed in-depth characterization of human primary microglia isolated from fresh brain tissue of the MFG, superior temporal gyrus (STG), and thalamus (THA). Similarly, these ex vivo isolated microglia did not show elevated expression of inflammatory markers. Finally, challenging the isolated microglia with LPS did not result in an increased immune response in patients with BD compared to controls. In conclusion, our study shows that microglia in post-mortem brain tissue of patients with BD are not immune activated.

Prospective study of individualized or high fixed doses of vitamin D supplementation after bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: The degree of bariatric surgery (BS) induced vitamin D (VD) malabsorption is not well established. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of achieving 25-hydroxy VD (25(OH)D) levels ≥75 nmol/L with two regimens of VD supplementation after BS. METHODS: We performed two open-label, prospective studies in patients undergoing BS from 2009 to 2011. Postoperatively, all patients received Ca citrate 1,000 mg and 800 IU of VD3/day. In the first study, additional VD3 was prescribed according to preoperative 25(OH)D levels- < 25 nmol/L:2,800 IU/day; 26-50 nmol/L:2,000-1,200 IU/day, 51-62 nmol/L:1,000 IU; >63 nmol/L:0 IU/day-and we evaluated the patients at baseline and at 4 months. In the second study, an additional fixed high dose of 2,000 IU/day of VD3 was administered, and we evaluated patients at baseline and at 4 and 12 months after BS. RESULTS: The first study included 176 patients [mean age 44 (11)]; 140 were females. Before BS, 171 subjects (98 %) presented 25(OH)D levels <75 nmol/L. Postoperatively, the mean 25(OH)D levels increased from 40 (17) to 77 nmol/L (29) (p < 0.001) with no differences in parathormone (PTH) or 25(OH)D levels between dose groups. In the second study, we enrolled 52 patients [mean age 45 (10)]; 32 were females. Postoperatively, the mean 25(OH)D levels increased from 32 (12) to 80 (22) and to 75 nmol/L (15) (p < 0.001) at 4 and 12 months, respectively. In both studies, a high percentage of patients achieved 25(OH)D ≥75 nmol/L levels and no subject reported any serious adverse event. CONCLUSIONS: Both schedules of daily VD3 supplementation were effective and safe under conditions of clinical practice.

Long-term dietary intake and nutritional deficiencies following sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-En-Y gastric bypass in a mediterranean population.

BACKGROUND: Data on long-term dietary changes and nutritional deficiencies after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in grade 3 obese patients are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To prospectively compare dietary changes and nutritional deficiencies in grade 3 obese patients 5 years after SG and Roux-en-y gastric bypass (GBP). PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: Three hundred and fifty-five patients who had SG (n=61) or GBP (n=294) (May 2001-December 2006) at a Spanish university hospital. DESIGN: Longitudinal, prospective, observational study. PRIMARY OUTCOMES/STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Changes in energy, macronutrient, and micronutrient intake, and weight loss were analyzed using mixed models for repeated measurements. RESULTS: At the 5-year follow-up visit, the percentage of excess weight loss (P=0.420) and daily energy intake (P=0.826), as well as the proportion of energy from carbohydrates (P=0.303), protein (P=0.600), and fat (P=0.541) did not differ between surgical groups. Energy intake (P=0.004), baseline weight (P<0.001), and time period (P<0.001), but not the proportion of different macronutrients or the type of surgery, independently predicted the percentage excess weight loss over time. After SG or GBP, the mean daily dietary intake of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron was less than the current recommendations. Despite universal supplementation, the prevalence of nutritional deficiencies was comparable after SG or GBP, with 25-hydroxyvitamin D being the most commonly observed deficiency (SG, 93.3% to 100%; GBP, 90.9% to 85.7%, P=not significant). In an adjusted multivariate regression model, energy intake and lipid intake independently predicted plasma 25(OH)-vitamin D levels. CONCLUSIONS: Data show that SG and GBP are associated with similar long-term weight loss with no differences in terms of dietary intake. Furthermore, data demonstrate that both types of surgeries carry comparable nutritional consequences.

Nystagmus: an uncommon neurological manifestation of thiamine deficiency as a serious complication of sleeve gastrectomy.

Wernicke encephalopathy--a debilitating acute or subacute neurological disorder-is caused by a deficiency in thiamine (vitamin B(1)). It is characterized by a classical clinical triad of symptoms: ocular impairment, cerebellar dysfunction, and confusion. Although bariatric surgery can certainly improve the overall health of an obese individual, it can also make him or her more susceptible to serious nutrition deficiencies. Following surgery, inadequate caloric intake, rapid and excessive weight loss, food intolerance, lack of adherence to nutrition supplementation, and/or the onset of prolonged vomiting can lead to severe nutrition deficiencies. It is generally believed that the more malabsorptive the surgery proves, the more likely is it that such a deficiency will occur. The case presented here shows that after sleeve gastrectomy (SG), a patient may also develop dangerous nutrition deficits that can negatively affect his or her life. In this particular case, a patient presented with a severe vitamin B(1) deficiency following SG for morbid obesity. Although patients may exhibit pathophysiologies similar to Wernicke encephalopathy after this surgery, only 2 cases of severe vitamin B(1) deficiency following sleeve gastrectomy have been reported. The grave consequences of thiamine deficiency observed in this patient underscore the importance of supplementation after SG.

Protein intake, body composition, and protein status following bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Daily protein intake recommendations have recently been proposed for the bariatric patient. We aimed to evaluate the accomplishment of these recommendations, and the influence of protein intake (PI) on fat free mass (FFM) and protein status changes following bariatric surgery. METHODS: We examined 101 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-in-Y gastric gypass (LGBP) or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Based on 3-day food records, PI from food and supplements were quantified at 4, 8, and 12 months after surgery. The association between PI and body composition (bioelectrical impedance), plasma albumin and pre-albumin was evaluated at all study time points. RESULTS: A PI <60 g/day was present respectively in 45%, 35%, and 37% of the cohort at 4, 8, and 12 months after surgery (p < 0.001 relative to baseline). Despite our universal recommendation of protein supplementation, supplements were taken only by 63.4, 50.5, and 33.7% of the participants at 4, 8, and 12 months. However, protein supplementation was effective in helping patients to achieve the daily protein intake goal. In linear regression analysis, male gender and weight loss, but not PI, were significantly associated with loss of FFM (p < 0.001). No significant correlation between PI and plasma albumin or pre-albumin was found. CONCLUSIONS: Our study underscores the value of protein supplementation for the achievement of the recommended daily protein intake in the bariatric patient. However, our data does not help to define a PI goal as critical in determining the FFM and protein status changes following LGBP or LSG.

Calcium and vitamin D supplementation after gastric bypass should be individualized to improve or avoid hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Precise calcium (Ca) and vitamin D intestinal absorption after gastric bypass (GB) remains unknown. We evaluated the effect of receiving or not Ca and vitamin D supplementation on Ca, PTH, and vitamin D axis in patients undergoing GB. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-two patients were evaluated prior to GB and at 1 year. Baseline characteristics were registered, and bone metabolism markers were determined before surgery and at 12 months. After surgery, oral calcium carbonate (1,200 mg/daily) and vitamin D3 (800 IU) were prescribed with PTH >70 pg/ml. RESULTS: In the whole group, before surgery and at 1 year, 36 and 30% had hyperparathyroidism (HPT), respectively. Baseline vitamin D deficiency (<50 nmol/L) was observed in 52% with insufficiency (50-75 nmol/L) in 28%. Linear regression analysis showed a significant positive relationship between PTH and excess body weight (EBW) (r 0.190) with a significant negative relationship between PTH and 25 (OH) D (r-0.243). Only EBW was independently associated with HPT on multivariate logistic regression. PTH and 25 (OH) D significantly improved at 1 year with Ca supplementation, but HPT continued in 35 and in 71%, 25 (OH) D was <75 nmol/L. 25 (OH) D only increased 11.5 nmol/L with supplementation. Without Ca supplementation, both PTH and 25 (OH) D increased. HPT developed in 15% with 25 (OH) D < 75 nmol/L in 66%. CONCLUSIONS: Ca and vitamin D supplementation after GB should be universal and individualized to overcome mal-absorption and improve previous 25 (OH) D deficiency.