Bariatric surgery improves clinical outcomes and adiposity biomarkers but not inflammatory cytokines SAA and MCP-1 after a six-month follow-up.

Obesity is a global health problem and is associated with a chronic low-grade inflammatory state. Surgical obesity treatment is being increasingly common due to its efficacy. From this, we evaluate the metabolic state improvement and inflammation remission in patients with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery. Methods: The clinical data and serum levels of leptin and adiponectin were assessed in patients with obesity before and one, three and six months after bariatric surgery. Also, serum amyloid A (SAA), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels were measured during the follow-up surgery and compared with a lean group of individuals. Results: Weight loss decreased body mass index (BMI), comorbidities percentage, drugs use and leptin levels. Adiponectin levels increased after surgery. SAA and MCP-1 showed no difference after surgery, but a trend decrease for MCP-1 and a significant decrease was observed when the patients with obesity were compared to the lean participants. Conclusion: Bariatric surgery alters metabolic status improving obesity-related comorbidities and the adiposity biomarkers leptin and adiponectin, but not inflammatory cytokines SAA and MCP-1.

Prevalence of Factor V Leiden in a healthy population in Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil.

Thrombophilic disorders are found in 50% of patients with venous thromboembolism, and factor V Leiden (FVL) is the most common genetic risk factor for the development of these conditions. FVL prevalence varies according to population group. In Europe, many countries have a high prevalence of the mutation, including Portugal, Germany, and Italy. Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil, was colonized by different European nations; most inhabitants are descendants of Portuguese, Italian, and German immigrants. There are, however, no data on the prevalence of FVL in the state. This study aimed to determine FVL prevalence in a healthy population in Santa Catarina and assess whether there is an association between the mutation and demographic characteristics, thereby contributing to the understanding of the heterogeneity of prevalence of this important VTE risk factor and racial or geographical differences in the incidence of thrombotic diseases. Analysis of the FVL mutation was performed on 400 blood donors using the PCR technique followed by enzymatic digestion. The findings show that 2.5% of the participants were heterozygous for FVL, and none were homozygous. No association was found between the presence of FVL in heterozygosis and individual characteristics. In conclusion, this study found a prevalence of FVL in heterozygosis of 2.5% among healthy individuals in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Further studies are needed to assess the prevalence of FVL in other regions of the country, determine the distribution of the mutation among population groups, and evaluate how these factors affect the incidence of thrombotic diseases.

Millettia macrophylla (Fabaceae) phenolic fraction prevents differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and the increased risks of cardiovascular diseases in ovariectomized rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: A prolonged estrogen deficiency alters lipid metabolism and increases risks of cardiovascular diseases. Phytoestrogens, naturally occurring compounds with estrogenic properties are reported to have cardiovascular protective effects. Millettia macrophylla used in the Cameroonian traditional system to treat physiological disorders related to menopause, was previously reported to have estrogenic effects. AIM: We, therefore, proposed evaluating the in vitro and in vivo effects of M. macrophylla phenolic fraction on some risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In vitro, the ability of the M. macrophylla phenolic fraction (PF) as well as the 9 isolates to prevent the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes differentiation was assessed. Further, the preventive effects of PF on abdominal fat accumulation, body weight gain, lipid profile, nitric oxide level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities, reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed in a postmenopausal rat model. RESULTS: In vitro, PF and its isolate secundiferol I inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. Moreover, all the isolates except daidzein dimethylether prevented the interleukin IL-6 production in 3T3-L1 cells. In vivo, PF prevented ovariectomy-induced abdominal fat accumulation, body weight gain, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance and decreased atherogenic index. In addition, it induced a vasorelaxant effect by preventing the low level of nitric oxide in the aorta. PF also exhibited antioxidant effects as it increased aorta GSH level, SOD, and catalase activities and decreased MDA level. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our data suggest that PF prevents the increased risks of cardiovascular diseases in ovariectomized rats.

Complement component 3 (C3) as a biomarker for insulin resistance after bariatric surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Since complement system has been recently associated with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, and closely related to insulin resistance, we investigated the association of plasma complement factor 3 (C3) and factor 4 (C4) with insulin sensibility and weight loss after bariatric surgery. METHODS: Serum levels of C3, C4, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) measurements were assessed in morbidly obese patients before and after bariatric surgery, including a 6-month follow-up period, as well as a comparison with a lean group. RESULTS: Weight loss decreased body mass index (BMI), serum triacylglycerol, and increased serum HDL-cholesterol and insulin sensitivity, as expected. C3 and C4 were significantly higher in obese individuals when compared to lean subjects (p<0.001). In addition, C3 and C4 positively correlated with BMI and HOMA-IR, however, only C3 were significantly decreased 6months after surgery. CONCLUSION: C3 was strongly associated with insulin sensitivity after bariatric surgery.