Determinants of hyperhomocysteinemia after gastric bypass surgery in obese subjects

Periprocedural Changes of Serum Biomarkers in Predicting Complications Following Bariatric Surgery for Obesity: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for severe obesity, but complications and peri-operative monitoring are important considerations. We conducted a comprehensive review of studies assessing pre-operative biomarkers and complications in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. A total of 14 studies were included. Gastric leak, infections, bleeding, obstruction or stenosis, hypoglycemia, and hypoalbuminemia were the most common complications observed. Our analysis showed a significant association between lower pre-operative albumin levels and complications (SMD [95%CI] =  - 0.21 [- 0.38; - 0.04]). However, other biomarkers did not have a significant impact on complication occurrence. Changes in C-reactive protein, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, and white blood cell levels were observed in certain peri-operative time points and complication subgroups. These findings suggest the potential use of pre-operative biomarkers and peri-operative changes of biomarker's levels for predicting complications.

Changes in Total Homocysteine and Glutathione Levels After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Children with Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease

PURPOSE

Paediatric obesity is a well-known risk factor for metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on the levels of total homocysteine (tHcy) and total glutathione (tGSH) plasma levels in children with MAFLD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-four children with severe obesity who underwent LSG were included in the study. The metabolic parameters, systemic inflammatory markers, one-carbon metabolism products, ultrasound and histological improvement were evaluated at baseline (T0M) and after 12 months from LSG (T12M).

RESULTS

The patients exhibited a significant amelioration of several metabolic parameters at T12M. A significant reduction of steatosis was observed at ultrasound (from 72.7% of moderate-severe grade to 0% severe steatosis), accompanied by a statistically significant improvement of ballooning, portal and lobular inflammation and fibrosis. A statistically significant decrease of tumour necrosis factor circulating levels was also observed (T0M median = 290.3, IQR = 281.0-317.0 pg/mL; T12M median = 260.4, IQR = 240.0-279.0 pg/mL; p < 0.0001). After 12 months from LSG, a significant increase of mean plasma levels of tHcy(T0M mean = 15.7 ± 4.1 μmol/L; T12M mean = 21.1 ± 9.3 μmol/L; p = 0.0146) was also observed. The increase of tHcy showed no causal link with the improvement of MAFLD-related inflammatory, metabolic and histological pattern.

CONCLUSION

LSG in children with obesity induces an improvement of MAFLD-related metabolic derangement and liver damage, but also a mild hyperhomocysteinemia that should be avoided to prevent cardiovascular risk.

The Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Vitamin B Status and Mental Health

Diet is a modifiable factor that ensures optimal growth, biochemical performance, improved mood and mental functioning. Lack of nutrients, notably vitamin B, has an impact on human health and wellbeing. The United Arab Emirates is facing a serious problem of micronutrient deficiencies because of the growing trend for bariatric surgery, including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. People undergoing bariatric surgery are at high risk of developing neurological, cognitive, and mental disabilities and cardiovascular disease due to deficiency in vitamin B. Vitamin B is involved in neurotransmitter synthesis, including γ-aminobutyric acid, serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline. Deficiency of vitamin B increases the risk of depression, anxiety, dementia and Alzheimer's disease. In addition, vitamin B deficiency can disrupt the methylation of homocysteine, leading to hyperhomocysteinemia. Elevated homocysteine levels are detrimental to human health. Vitamin B deficiency also suppresses immune function, increases the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and upregulates NF-κB. Considering the important functions of vitamin B and the severe consequences associated with its deficiency following bariatric surgery, proper dietary intervention and administration of adequate supplements should be considered to prevent negative clinical outcomes.

Nutritional Deficiencies, Bariatric Surgery, and Serum Homocysteine Level: Review of Current Literature

Obesity is currently one of the biggest global health problems. In the case of severe obesity, bariatric surgeries are considered to be the most important method of treatment. The 2 most commonly performed bariatric surgery procedures include Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. However, these methods are not free from complications, and the most common ones (moderately long or long term) are micronutrient deficiencies. The deficiency of vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid as cofactors of the folate cycle contributes to the development of hyperhomocysteinemia. It seems that apart from nutritional factors, there are other aspects that have a significant influence on the concentration of homocysteine in blood, such as the type of conducted bariatric surgery, the post-surgical concentration of betaine and creatinine, and the clearance of methionine (i.e., the mutations of the gene that encodes the MTHFR reductase as well as other genes associated with the process of methylation, e.g., methionine synthase). Their presence might be one of the causes of the increased concentration of homocysteine after surgery despite the fact that patients take vitamin-mineral supplementation.

Plasma homocysteine after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass increases in the early postoperative phase but decreases in the long-term follow-up. A retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Homocysteine is an important independent risk factor for predicting cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, changes in the homocysteine levels after bariatric surgery remain controversial.

OBJECTIVES

Modeling differences in homocysteine after bariatric surgery.

SETTING

University Hospital, Austria.

METHODS

Seven hundred eight consecutive bariatric surgery patients (78% female, 22% male, mean body mass index 41 kg/m² preoperatively) underwent laparoscopic long-limb Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in a 6-year period and were retrospectively evaluated for changes in their preoperative homocysteine levels, at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 months postoperatively. Furthermore, a postal and telephone screening for postoperative CVD with a follow-up of 71% was conducted.

RESULTS

Hyperhomocysteinemia was present in 11.8% preoperatively (normal range: <15 μmol/L). The median plasma homocysteine level was 10.4 preoperatively, 12.1 at 3, 11.2 at 6, 10.0 at 9, 9.8 at 12, 8.9 at 18, 8.7 at 24, 8.6 at 36, 9.1 at 48, 9.8 at 60, and 10.0 μmol/L at 72 months postoperatively. After subdividing the study population in morbidly obese (n = 509, body mass index 40-50 kg/m²) and super-obese (n = 199, body mass index >50 kg/m²) patients, the short-term increase into homocysteine levels remained. Overall, newly onset CVD risk was 4.2%. After subdividing the CVD risk into risk for myocardial infarction, stroke, and risk for deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism the distribution was as follows: .2% myocardial infarction, .59% stroke, and 2.97% deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism (median 36 [interquartile range 36-48] mo postoperatively).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass leads to increased homocysteine levels in the early postoperative period. However, there was no relationship between increased homocysteine levels and CVD event onset.

Does Bariatric Surgery Improve Obesity Associated Comorbid Conditions

Obesity is a constantly growing health problem which reduces quality of life and life expectancy. Bariatric surgery for obesity is taken into account when all other conservative treatment modalities have failed. Comparison of the multidisciplinary programs with bariatric surgery regarding to weight loss showed that substantial and durable weight reduction have been achieved only with bariatric surgical treatments. However, the benefits of weight loss following bariatric procedures are still debated regarding the pro-inflammatory and metabolic profile of obesity.

Clinical practice guidelines for the perioperative nutritional, metabolic, and nonsurgical support of the bariatric surgery patient--2013 update: cosponsored by American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, The Obesity Society, and American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery

The development of these updated guidelines was commissioned by the AACE, TOS, and ASMBS Board of Directors and adheres to the AACE 2010 protocol for standardized production of clinical practice guidelines (CPG). Each recommendation was re-evaluated and updated based on the evidence and subjective factors per protocol. Examples of expanded topics in this update include: the roles of sleeve gastrectomy, bariatric surgery in patients with type-2 diabetes, bariatric surgery for patients with mild obesity, copper deficiency, informed consent, and behavioral issues. There are 74 recommendations (of which 56 are revised and 2 are new) in this 2013 update, compared with 164 original recommendations in 2008. There are 403 citations, of which 33 (8.2%) are EL 1, 131 (32.5%) are EL 2, 170 (42.2%) are EL 3, and 69 (17.1%) are EL 4. There is a relatively high proportion (40.4%) of strong (EL 1 and 2) studies, compared with only 16.5% in the 2008 AACE-TOS-ASMBS CPG. These updated guidelines reflect recent additions to the evidence base. Bariatric surgery remains a safe and effective intervention for select patients with obesity. A team approach to perioperative care is mandatory with special attention to nutritional and metabolic issues.

Clinical practice guidelines for the perioperative nutritional, metabolic, and nonsurgical support of the bariatric surgery patient--2013 update: cosponsored by American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the Obesity Society, and American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery

The development of these updated guidelines was commissioned by the AACE, TOS, and ASMBS Board of Directors and adheres to the AACE 2010 protocol for standardized production of clinical practice guidelines (CPG). Each recommendation was re-evaluated and updated based on the evidence and subjective factors per protocol. Examples of expanded topics in this update include: the roles of sleeve gastrectomy, bariatric surgery in patients with type-2 diabetes, bariatric surgery for patients with mild obesity, copper deficiency, informed consent, and behavioral issues. There are 74 recommendations (of which 56 are revised and 2 are new) in this 2013 update, compared with 164 original recommendations in 2008. There are 403 citations, of which 33 (8.2%) are EL 1, 131 (32.5%) are EL 2, 170 (42.2%) are EL 3, and 69 (17.1%) are EL 4. There is a relatively high proportion (40.4%) of strong (EL 1 and 2) studies, compared with only 16.5% in the 2008 AACE-TOS-ASMBS CPG. These updated guidelines reflect recent additions to the evidence base. Bariatric surgery remains a safe and effective intervention for select patients with obesity. A team approach to perioperative care is mandatory with special attention to nutritional and metabolic issues.

Clinical practice guidelines for the perioperative nutritional, metabolic, and nonsurgical support of the bariatric surgery patient--2013 update: cosponsored by American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the Obesity Society, and American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery

The development of these updated guidelines was commissioned by the AACE, TOS, and ASMBS Board of Directors and adheres to the AACE 2010 protocol for standardized production of clinical practice guidelines (CPG). Each recommendation was re-evaluated and updated based on the evidence and subjective factors per protocol. Examples of expanded topics in this update include: the roles of sleeve gastrectomy, bariatric surgery in patients with type-2 diabetes, bariatric surgery for patients with mild obesity, copper deficiency, informed consent, and behavioral issues. There are 74 recommendations (of which 56 are revised and 2 are new) in this 2013 update, compared with 164 original recommendations in 2008. There are 403 citations, of which 33 (8.2%) are EL 1, 131 (32.5%) are EL 2, 170 (42.2%) are EL 3, and 69 (17.1%) are EL 4. There is a relatively high proportion (40.4%) of strong (EL 1 and 2) studies, compared with only 16.5% in the 2008 AACE-TOS-ASMBS CPG. These updated guidelines reflect recent additions to the evidence base. Bariatric surgery remains a safe and effective intervention for select patients with obesity. A team approach to perioperative care is mandatory with special attention to nutritional and metabolic issues.

Decreased serum betaine concentrations in patients after bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases but has no effects on hyperhomocysteinemia, the risk factor for atherogenesis. We hypothesize that the decrease in serum betaine (involved in homocysteine metabolism) concentrations, after bariatric surgery, impairs conversion of homocysteine to methionine, leading to hyperhomocysteinemia. If this is true, it may be desirable to supply patients after bariatric surgery with betaine. Serum betaine and homocysteine concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, in 16 obese patients, before and 6 months after bariatric surgery. Ten healthy individuals with normal body mass index served as controls. Serum betaine concentrations decreased to the values lower than in controls after bariatric surgery, whereas serum homocysteine concentrations remained elevated. In patients supplemented with B(12) and folate, no effect of bariatric surgery on serum concentrations of vitamins involved in homocysteine metabolism was observed. These results suggest that betaine deficit could be responsible for maintenance of hyperhomocysteinemia after bariatric surgery. We postulate that supplementation with betaine could be of therapeutic value for the treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia after bariatric surgery.

Update on micronutrients in bariatric surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Obesity is a growing worldwide epidemic. Obese patients are often deficient in micronutrients despite macronutrient excess. Bariatric surgery is an increasingly utilized modality in the treatment of obesity and obesity-related conditions. Bariatric surgery itself may cause or exacerbate micronutrient deficiencies with serious sequelae. This review will focus on perioperative strategies to detect, prevent and treat micronutrient deficiencies in patients undergoing bariatric surgery, and will highlight practical and clinical aspects of these nutritional problems.

RECENT FINDINGS

Micronutrient deficiency is common in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery both preoperatively and postoperatively. Bariatric procedures with a malabsorptive component are more likely to result in postoperative micronutrient deficiency. A system-based approach will facilitate clinical suspicion of specific or combined micronutrient deficiencies, leading to appropriate laboratory tests for confirmation. Supplementation by the oral route is always tried first, reserving parenteral administration for specific situations.

SUMMARY

Clinicians should be aware that micronutrient deficiencies are common in obese patients who may have macronutrient excess. Micronutrient deficiency may exist preoperatively or be caused by bariatric procedures themselves. A systematic and team-based approach will decrease morbidity associated with delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Homocysteine suppresses lipolysis in adipocytes by activating the AMPK pathway

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease. Emerging evidence suggests that HHcy is also associated with adipocyte tissue dysfunction. One of the principal functions of adipose tissue is to provide energy substrate via lipolysis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of homocysteine (Hcy) on lipolysis in adipocytes. We found that Hcy inhibited release of glycerol and fatty acids, two typical indicators of the lipolytic response, in primary adipocytes and fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner under both basal and isoproterenol-stimulated conditions. In differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, decreased glycerol and free fatty acid (FFA) release was associated with elevation of intracellular TG content. Further studies showed that Hcy-mediated antilipolytic responses were independent of the cyclic AMP-PKA and MEK-ERK1/2 pathways. However, Hcy increased phosphorylation levels of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its downstream enzyme acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, abolished Hcy-induced reduction of glycerol and FFA release under both basal and isoproterenol-stimulated conditions. Furthermore, AMPKα1 siRNA reversed Hcy-inhibited glycerol release. Supplementation of exogenous Hcy in the diet for 2 wk lowered circulating glycerol and FFA levels. Moreover, Hcy supplementation was associated with elevated leptin levels and reduced adiponectin levels in plasma. These results show that Hcy inhibits lipolysis through a pathway that involves AMPK activation.