Effects of gastric sleeve surgery on the serum levels of GH, IGF-1 and IGF-binding protein 2 in healthy obese patients.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for severe obesity. It also ameliorates diabetes independently of weight loss through mechanisms that are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the levels of GH, IGF-1 and IGF-binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) after gastric sleeve surgery in healthy obese individuals. METHOD: This study was conducted in 33 obese (BMI > 38.3) healthy male subjects aged 25 to 50 years undergoing sleeve gastrectomy. GH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-2 levels were evaluated by ELISA at baseline and 6-12 months after surgery. Other parameters, such as glucose, BMI, insulin, HOMA-IR and lipid profile, were also investigated. RESULTS: Systemic GH (12.32 vs. 50.97 pg/mL, p < 0.001) and IGFBP-2 levels (51.86 vs. 68.81 pg/mL, p < 0.001) were elevated after bariatric surgery. There was no change in IGF-1 level from before to after surgery. BMI (52.18 vs. 40.11, p = 0.001), insulin (19.35 vs. 8.80 mIU/L, p < 0.001) and HOMA-IR index (6.48 to 2.52, p < 0.001) were reduced after surgery. Lipid profile analysis revealed that total cholesterol (4.26 vs. 5.12 mmol/L, p < 0.001) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (0.90 to 1.55 mmol/L, p < 0.001) were increased, while triglycerides were decreased, after surgery (1.62 vs. 1.05 mmol/L p < 0.001). GH, IGF-1, and IGFBP-2 were not correlated with insulin or lipid parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that improved circulating GH and IGFBP-2 levels may mediate the beneficial effects of gastric sleeve surgery in improving insulin sensitivity and reducing insulin demand.

Prostate cancer in the Arab population. An overview.

This review evaluated prostate cancer studies from around the world and investigated the causes of differences among them. Prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates showed significant discrepancies between countries and ethnicities. In North America as well as in other western countries, the most common cancer was found to be prostate cancer; however, it appears to be not as prevalent among men in the Middle East and North Africa. Statistics show that screening of prostate-specific antigen levels should be applied depending on ethnicity and age. Other environmental aspects such as dietary and androgenic factors are believed to have caused these differences.