Early changes in vitamin B12 uptake and biomarker status following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy

Efficacy of different routes of vitamin B12 supplementation for the treatment of patients with vitamin B12 deficiency: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the three different administration routes of vitamin B12: oral, intramuscular (IM), and sublingual (SL) routes.

METHODS

We searched four electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL Register of Controlled Trials). We included only comparative studies. We performed a frequentist network meta-analysis to measure network estimates for the relative outcomes. Moreover, we conducted a pairwise meta-analysis using a random effect model to obtain direct estimates for outcomes. All outcomes were continuous, and the relative treatment effects were pooled as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies were included in the meta-analysis, with a total of 4275 patients. Regarding increasing vitamin B12 levels, the IM route ranked first, followed by the SL route (MD = 94.09 and 43.31 pg/mL, respectively) compared to the oral route. However, these differences did not reach statistical significance owing to the limited number of studies. Regarding the hemoglobin level, the pooled effect sizes showed no difference between all routes of administration that could reach statistical significance. However, the top two ranked administration routes were the oral route (78.3) and the IM route (49.6).

CONCLUSION

All IM, oral, and SL routes of administration of vitamin B12 can effectively increase the level of vitamin B12 without significant differences between them, as thought previously. However, the IM route was the top-ranked statistically but without clinical significance. We found no significant difference among studied administrated routes in all other CBC parameters and homocysteine levels.

Nutritional peripheral neuropathies

Nutritional peripheral neuropathies are a global problem, heavily influenced by geopolitical, cultural and socioeconomic factors. Peripheral neuropathy occurs most frequently secondary to B-vitamin deficiencies, which is suspected to increase in years to come due to the popularity of vegan and vegetarian diets and increased use of bariatric surgery.This review will focus on the common B-vitamins for which a causal link to peripheral neuropathy is more established (vitamins B1, B2, B6, B9 and B12). We will review the historical human and animal data on which much of the clinical descriptions of vitamin deficiencies are based and summarise current available tools for accurately diagnosing a nutritional deficiency. We will also review recently described genetic diseases due to pathogenic variants in genes involved in B-vitamin metabolism that have helped to inform the phenotypes and potential causality of certain B-vitamins in peripheral neuropathy (B2 and B9).Endemic outbreaks of peripheral neuropathy over the last two centuries have been linked to food shortages and nutritional deficiency. These include outbreaks in Jamaican sugar plantation workers in the nineteenth century (Strachan's syndrome), World War two prisoners of war, Cuban endemic neuropathy and also Tanzanian endemic optic neuropathy, which remains a significant public health burden today. An improved understanding of lack of which vitamins cause peripheral neuropathy and how to identify specific deficiencies may lead to prevention of significant and irreversible disability in vulnerable populations.

Biomarkers of Micronutrients and Phytonutrients and Their Application in Epidemiological Studies

Nutritional biomarkers can be used as important indicators of nutritional status and play crucial roles in the prevention as well as prognosis optimization of various metabolism-related diseases. Measuring dietary with the deployment of biomarker assessments provides quantitative nutritional information that can better predict the health outcomes. With the increased availability of nutritional biomarkers and the development of assessment tools, the specificity and sensitivity of nutritional biomarkers have been greatly improved. This enables efficient disease surveillance in nutrition research. A wide range of biomarkers have been used in different types of studies, including clinical trials, observational studies, and qualitative studies, to reflect the relationship between diet and health. Through a comprehensive literature search, we reviewed the well-established nutritional biomarkers of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, and their association with epidemiological studies, to better understand the role of nutrition in health and disease.

Micronutrients Deficiencies in Candidates of Bariatric Surgery: Results from a Single Institution over a 1-Year Period

BACKGROUND

Micronutrient deficiencies represent a common condition after bariatric surgery (BS). The prevalence of these nutritional disorders before BS is still debated. The aim of our study was to retrospectively evaluate the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in candidates for BS.

METHODS

A prospectively maintained database of our institution was searched to find all patients who underwent surgery between January and December 2021. The following data were collected: age, gender, body mass index (BMI), obesity-associated diseases, and preoperative serum levels of vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin D.

RESULTS

A total of 174 patients were included in our study. Mean age and BMI were 39.2 ± 11.4 years and 44.3 ± 7.1 kg/m², respectively. One hundred and thirty-nine patients (79.9%) had at least one preoperative micronutrient disorder, with vitamin D deficiency being the most common (116, 66.7%), followed by a deficit of folate (76, 43.7%) and vitamin B12 (10, 5.7%). Forty-seven (27%) individuals had insufficient levels of vitamin D. Comparison of deficiencies between sexes showed that vitamin B12 < 20 ng/ml was significantly more frequent in women (p = 0.03). DLP showed a mild significant effect on folate levels (p = 0.01), while the association of HNT and T2DM had a mild significant effect on vitamin B12 (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative micronutrient deficiencies were frequently found in candidates for BS. Approximately 90% of patients had deficient or insufficient serum levels of vitamin D preoperatively. Almost half of the patients had a preoperative deficit of folate, and vitamin B12 deficiency was significantly more frequent in the female population. It is mandatory to screen all patients undergoing BS for vitamin deficiencies before surgery.

An unusual case of subacute combined degeneration due to nitrous oxide abuse, which relapsed after bariatric surgery: A case report

RATIONALE

Several studies have reported subacute combined degeneration (SCD) induced by nitrous oxide (N2O) abuse. However, few studies have reported that N2O-induced SCD recurred because of sleeve gastrectomy after neurological symptoms improved.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We report the case of an 18-year-old woman who developed paresthesia, weakness in 4 limbs, and an unstable gait after frequent, excessive N2O inhalation.

DIAGNOSIS

The patient was diagnosed as having SCD.

INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES

Nineteen days after intravenous mecobalamin and supplementation with other kinds of vitamin B, her weakness and paresthesia resolved. However, 7 months after discharge, the patient experienced recurrence following sleeve gastrectomy. Blood biochemistry revealed low vitamin B12 levels. After a 22-day treatment, similar to the first hospitalization, her residual numbness and unsteady gait improved.

LESSONS

This case highlights that patients, especially those at high risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, undergoing sleeve gastrectomy require careful nutritional follow-up and routine monitoring of micronutrients such as vitamin B12 and homocysteine. Continuous vigilance is essential for patients with common and rare neurological complications.

Gut microbiome: Linking together obesity, bariatric surgery and associated clinical outcomes under a single focus

Obesity is increasingly prevalent in the post-industrial era, with increased mortality rates. The gut microbiota has a central role in immunological, nutritional and metabolism mediated functions, and due to its multiplexity, it is considered an independent organ. Modern high-throughput sequencing techniques have allowed phylogenetic exploration and quantitative analyses of gut microbiome and improved our current understanding of the gut microbiota in health and disease. Its role in obesity and its changes following bariatric surgery have been highlighted in several studies. According to current literature, obesity is linked to a particular microbiota profile that grants the host an augmented potential for calorie release, while limited diversity of gut microbiome has also been observed. Moreover, bariatric surgery procedures represent effective interventions for sustained weight loss and restore a healthier microbiota, contributing to the observed fat mass reduction and lean mass increase. However, newer evidence has shown that gut microbiota is only partially recovered following bariatric surgery. Moreover, several targets including FGF15/19 (a gut-derived peptide), could be responsible for the favorable metabolic changes of bariatric surgery. More randomized controlled trials and larger prospective studies that include well-defined cohorts are required to better identify associations between gut microbiota, obesity, and bariatric surgery.

Nutritional Status in Chinese Patients with Obesity Following Sleeve Gastrectomy/Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study

Metabolic surgery (MS) is one of the most effective therapies for treating obesity. Due to the lack of multicenter cohort research on nutritional evaluations after surgery in Chinese patients, we explored the changes in nutritional status following MS in Chinese patients. This was a retrospective study of patients (n = 903) who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (SG) (n = 640) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) (n = 263) for obesity at five different hospitals in China between 17 February 2011, and 20 December 2019. Major nutrients were evaluated at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Hb levels decreased, and anemia prevalence increased at 12 months after MS in the premenopausal female group. Moreover, patients with preoperative anemia had an increased risk of postoperative anemia. The ferritin levels (p < 0.001) decreased and iron deficiency increased (p < 0.001) at 12 months after MS among premenopausal females. No significant changes in folate deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency were found throughout the study. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck, lumbar spine, and total hip significantly decreased from baseline to 12 months after MS; however, no new patients developed osteopenia or osteoporosis after MS. Based on 12 months of follow-up, premenopausal females presented a high incidence of anemia after MS. Although we found no differences in osteopenia and osteoporosis prevalence after MS, the BMD did decrease significantly, which suggests that nutrient supplements and long-term follow-up are especially necessary postoperation.

Vitamin B12 absorption and malabsorption

Vitamin B12 is assimilated and transported by complex mechanisms that involve three transport proteins, intrinsic factor (IF), haptocorrin (HC) and transcobalamin (TC) and their respective membrane receptors. Vitamin deficiency is mainly due to inadequate dietary intake in vegans, and B12 malabsorption is related to digestive diseases. This review explores the physiology of vitamin B12 absorption and the mechanisms and diseases that produce malabsorption. In the stomach, B12 is released from food carrier proteins and binds to HC. The degradation of HC by pancreatic proteases and the pH change trigger the transfer of B12 to IF in the duodenum. Cubilin and amnionless are the two components of the receptor that mediates the uptake of B12 in the distal ileum. Part of liver B12 is excreted in bile, and undergoes an enterohepatic circulation. The main causes of B12 malabsorption include inherited disorders (Intrinsic factor deficiency, Imerslund-Gräsbeck disease, Addison's pernicious anemia, obesity, bariatric surgery and gastrectomies. Other causes include pancreatic insufficiency, obstructive Jaundice, tropical sprue and celiac disease, bacterial overgrowth, parasitic infestations, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, chronic radiation enteritis of the distal ileum and short bowel. The assessment of B12 deficit is recommended in the follow-up of subjects with bariatric surgery. The genetic causes of B12 malabsorption are probably underestimated in adult cases with B12 deficit. Despite its high prevalence in the general population and in the elderly, B12 malabsorption cannot be anymore assessed by the Schilling test, pointing out the urgent need for an equivalent reliable test.

Dietary supplements and bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery has been in practice for achieving significant weight loss in patients who have failed to achieve weight loss after pharmacological interventions. The rising cases of obesity are a triggering factor for more bariatric surgeries worldwide. Interestingly, sustained weight loss achieved post-bariatric surgery offers metabolic advantages, and patients show improved glucose and lipid metabolisms. Bariatric surgery is directly linked to higher incidences of vitamin, mineral, and trace element deficiencies, thus making patients susceptible to anemia, osteoporosis, and cardiomyopathy. Reduced nutrient absorption capacity, dietary changes, dietary restriction, and altered gastrointestinal tract morphology are some reasons for nutritional deficiency observed in post-bariatric surgery procedures. Micro-and-macronutrient deficiency observed in patients during the postoperative phase requires continuous monitoring of nutritional parameters. Therefore, adequate multivitamin and mineral supplements become essential to prevent/overcome micronutrient deficiencies. Bariatric surgery also raises the risk of small for gestational age (SGA) babies. Hence, a 12 - 24 months gap is recommended between bariatric surgery and pregnancy to achieve desired weight loss targets. The topic of this review is the impact of bariatric surgery procedures on vitamin and mineral absorption and the role of dietary supplements in maintaining a healthy nutritional balance during the postoperative phase.

Gastrointestinal Cancer Patient Nutritional Management: From Specific Needs to Novel Epigenetic Dietary Approaches

Nutritional habits impinge on the health of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, contributing to GI disorder progression. GI cancer is a widespread and aggressive tumor sensitive to nutritional changes. Indeed, specific nutritional expedients can be adopted to prevent GI cancer onset and to slow down disease activity. Moreover, the patient’s nutritional status impacts prognosis, quality of life, and chemotherapy tolerance. These patients encounter the highest frequency of malnourishment risk, a condition that can progressively evolve into cachexia. Clinical studies dealing with this topic stressed the importance of nutritional counseling and put under the spotlight nutrient delivery, the type of nutrient supplementation, and timing for the start of nutritional management. A medical practitioner well-prepared on the topic of nutrition and cancer should operate in the clinical team dedicated to these oncological patients. This specific expertise needs to be implemented as soon as possible to adopt nutritional interventions and establish a proper patient-tailored dietary regimen. The nutritional gap closure should be prompt during anticancer treatment to stabilize weight loss, improve treatment tolerability, and ameliorate survival rate. Recently, novel nutritional approaches were investigated to target the bidirectional link between epigenetics and metabolism, whose alteration supports the onset, progression, and therapeutic response of GI cancer patients.

IS THE WAIST/HEIGHT RATIO A BETTER PARAMETER THAN BMI IN DETERMINING THE CARDIOMETABOLIC RISK PROFILE OF OBESE PEOPLE?

Background:

The increased prevalence of obesity has led to a significant increase in the occurrence of metabolic syndrome, a recognized risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. Hyperglycemia or type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and arterial hypertension are its main components. Since 2015, international guidelines have recognized the benefits of bariatric surgery in each isolated factor of this syndrome.

Aim:

To evaluate the impact of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in this syndrome comparing pre- and postoperative periods with laboratory analysis and to compare waist/height ratio and BMI in relation to the determination of the cardiometabolic risk profile.

Methods:

A retrospective study was carried out, selecting 80 patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin, insulin, body mass index (BMI), vitamin D, vitamin B12, waist circumference and waist/height ratio in three periods were analyzed: the preoperative period from 1 to 6 months, postoperative from 1 to 6 months and postoperative from 1 to 2 years.

Results:

There was an improvement in all parameters of the clinical analyses. The preoperative BMI had a mean value of 39.8, in the preoperative period from 1 to 6 months, the values ​​dropped to 33.2 and in the postoperative period of 1 year, the mean was 26. The perimeter mean values ​​of 118.5 preoperatively, 105.2 postoperatively from 1 to 6 months and 90.3 postoperatively from 1 to 2 years. Waist/height ratio was 0.73, 0.65 and 0.56 in pre, post 1 to 6 months and 1 to 2 years respectively.

Conclusion:

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass improves metabolic syndrome and waist-to-height ratio is superior to BMI in the assessment of the cardiometabolic risk profile.

Micronutrient supplementation in pregnancies following bariatric surgery: a practical review for clinicians

Patients who have undergone bariatric surgery are at high risk for nutritional deficiencies before and after surgery if no proper supplementation and close follow-up are maintained. As pregnancies after these surgeries are occurring more frequently, deficiencies imply risks for both mother and child. Nutritional needs for this specific population are different from that of patients with obesity or a non-bariatric population. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the most described vitamins and minerals during pregnancy, after bariatric surgery, and during pregnancy after bariatric surgery in order to summarize their specific needs and possible side effects and to provide a useful guideline to the involved caregivers.

Vitamin B12 status in health and disease: a critical review. Diagnosis of deficiency and insufficiency - clinical and laboratory pitfalls

Vitamin B₁₂ (cobalamin) is an essential cofactor for two metabolic pathways. It is obtained principally from food of animal origin. Cobalamin becomes bioavailable through a series of steps pertaining to its release from dietary protein, intrinsic factor-mediated absorption, haptocorrin or transcobalamin-mediated transport, cellular uptake, and two enzymatic conversions (via methionine synthase and methylmalonyl-CoA-mutase) into cofactor forms: methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin. Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency can masquerade as a multitude of illnesses, presenting different perspectives from the point of view of the hematologist, neurologist, gastroenterologist, general physician, or dietician. Increased physician vigilance and heightened patient awareness often account for its early presentation, and testing sometimes occurs during a phase of vitamin B₁₂ insufficiency before the main onset of the disease. The chosen test often depends on its availability rather than on the diagnostic performance and sensitivity to irrelevant factors interfering with vitamin B₁₂ markers. Although serum B₁₂ is still the most commonly used and widely available test, diagnostics by holotranscobalamin, serum methylmalonic acid, and plasma homocysteine measurements have grown in the last several years in routine practice. The lack of a robust absorption test, coupled with compromised sensitivity and specificity of other tests (intrinsic factor and gastric parietal cell antibodies), hinders determination of the cause for depleted B₁₂ status. This can lead to incorrect supplementation regimes and uncertainty regarding later treatment. This review discusses currently available knowledge on vitamin B₁₂, informs the reader about the pitfalls of tests for assessing its deficiency, reviews B₁₂ status in various populations at different disease stages, and provides recommendations for interpretation, treatment, and associated risks. Future directions for diagnostics of B₁₂ status and health interventions are also discussed.

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.

Recommendations for nutritional care after bariatric surgery: Recommendations for best practice and SOFFCO-MM/AFERO/SFNCM/expert consensus

Nutritional care after bariatric surgery is an issue of major importance, especially insofar as risk of deficiency has been extensively described in the literature. Subsequent to the deliberations carried out by a multidisciplinary working group, we are proposing a series of recommendations elaborated using the Delphi-HAS (official French health authority) method, which facilitates the drawing up of best practice and consensus recommendations based on the data of the literature and on expert opinion. The recommendations in this paper pertain to dietary management and physical activity, multivitamin and trace element supplementation and the prevention and treatment of specific deficiencies in vitamins B1, B9, B12, D and calcium, iron, zinc, vitamins A, E and K, dumping syndrome and reactive hypoglycemia.

Anaemia and Related Nutritional Deficiencies in Chinese Patients with Obesity, 12 Months Following Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become a predominant bariatric procedure at present. However, data are scarce regarding the nutritional impact of this procedure on Chinese patients. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of nutritional deficiency after LSG in Chinese patients.

METHODS

Eighty-two patients with obesity were recruited from the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, and all patients underwent LSG and completed the visit.

RESULTS

Compared with the baseline, the serum albumin levels increased significantly at 1-12 months (P<0.001) after surgery, and the hypoalbuminemia rate decreased from 8.5% to 0% throughout the study (P=0.063). Anaemia was present in 7.3% of all patients before surgery, and its prevalence increased to 11.0% at 12 months post-operation (P=0.109). The anaemia rate of fertile females was higher than that of males (21.4% vs 2.3%, P=0.036). No significant changes were found in vitamin B12 deficiency throughout the study (0% vs 3.8%, P=1.0). The increases in the folate deficiency were only discovered in the female group (3.7% vs 20%, P=0.031) and the obese without type 2 diabetes (T2D) group after LSG (27.3% vs 47.1%, P=0.031). A decrease in the ferritin levels and an increase in iron deficiency at 12 months post-surgery were found among all patients.

CONCLUSION

Based on 12 months of follow-up, LSG is effective in controlling metabolic syndrome and has a modest effect on nutritional deficiencies, which suggests that LSG is an effective and comparably safe procedure for Chinese patients considering nutritional deficiencies at 12 months post-surgery.

Recommendations Based on Evidence by the Andalusian Group for Nutrition Reflection and Investigation (GARIN) for the Pre- and Postoperative Management of Patients Undergoing Obesity Surgery

In order to develop evidence-based recommendations and expert consensus for nutrition management of patients undergoing bariatric surgery and postoperative follow-up, we conducted a systematic literature search using PRISMA methodology plus critical appraisal following the SIGN and AGREE-II procedures. The results were discussed among all members of the GARIN group, and all members answered a Likert scale questionnaire to assess the degree of support for every recommendation. Patients undergoing bariatric surgery should be screened preoperatively for some micronutrient deficiencies and treated accordingly. A VLCD (Very Low-Calorie Diet) should be used for 4–8 weeks prior to surgery. Postoperatively, a liquid diet should be maintained for a month, followed by a semi-solid diet also for one month. Protein requirements (1–1.5 g/kg) should be estimated using adjusted weight. Systematic use of specific multivitamin supplements is encouraged. Calcium citrate and vitamin D supplements should be used at higher doses than are currently recommended. The use of proton-pump inhibitors should be individualised, and vitamin B12 and iron should be supplemented in case of deficit. All patients, especially pregnant women, teenagers, and elderly patients require a multidisciplinary approach and specialised follow-up. These recommendations and suggestions regarding nutrition management when undergoing bariatric surgery and postoperative follow-up have direct clinical applicability.

Nutritional impact of bariatric surgery: a comparative study of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve gastrectomy between patients from the public and private health systems

PURPOSE

To compare the nutritional status follow up of patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (BGYR) and Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in hospitals of the private and public health systems, in Pernambuco.

METHODS

This study included patients who underwent bariatric surgery in the public and private health systems, in Pernambuco, from 2008 to 2016. Anthropometric and biochemical (hemoglobin, B12, iron and ferritin) data were evaluated in the preoperative period and at 3, 6 and 12 months after the operation.

RESULTS

There were no significant difference between patients seen at the two health systems regarding the levels of hemoglobin, iron, anemia and vitamin B12. Patients who underwent the RYGB, presented with iron deficiency which was significantly lower for those in the private system, but only at the 3 month evaluation. Low levels of ferritin were observed at the 6 month evaluation, and patients in the private health system presented with the highest ferritin deficiency. The rate of surgical success was significantly higher in those patients undergoing the RYGB at the private system.

CONCLUSIONS

After a 12-month bariatric surgery follow-up, there was no statistically significant difference regarding micronutrient deficiency between patients followed up at the private and public health systems.

Management of diet in gastrointestinal cancer

Nutrition and gastrointestinal cancer are inextricably linked. The metabolic effects of cancer along with changes in dietary intake, the development of cancer cachexia and the presence of sarcopenia can influence changes in body composition. These have a negative impact on quality of life and tolerance to cancer treatment. Treatment for cancer presents some significant nutritional challenges as nutrition impact symptoms may develop, be exacerbated by treatment and may contribute to a worsening in nutritional status. Nutrition screening and assessment should be an integral part of holistic patient care. The provision of appropriate, evidence-based dietary advice should occur before, during and after cancer treatment. Appropriate and timely methods of nutritional support across the spectrum of gastrointestinal cancer are needed to ensure that people are adequately supported during courses of treatment that can span weeks and months. These can range from standard approaches of supplementing oral intake to complex interventions such as managing high output intestinal stomas. The gastrointestinal tract is particularly susceptible to impact from systemic anti-cancer treatments and radiotherapy. Gastrointestinal late effects of cancer treatment are now recognised to present particular challenges in terms of both medical and nutritional management. These late effects have a significant impact on the individual and their quality of life in addition to implications for the health service. Dietary intake following cancer treatment has an impact on quality of life and future research may demonstrate its influence on the risk of recurrence of gastrointestinal cancer.

Medium term post-bariatric surgery deficit of vitamin B12 is predicted by deficit at time of surgery

BACKGROUND

Patients with morbid obesity have a high risk of deficits in micronutrients, after bariatric surgery. The reasons why systematic use of multivitamin and trace element supplements cannot prevent all deficits are complex and should deserve more attention. Little is known about the influence of micronutrient deficits at surgery.

AIM

This present study aimed to explore the deficit in vitamin B12 vs other micronutrients during the follow-up of a French cohort of cases with bariatric surgery under systematic multivitamin/trace elements supplementation and to determine whether it was influenced by clinical, metabolic characteristics at surgery.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled obese patients with bariatric surgery (laparoscopic gastric bypass or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy) between 2013 and 2018 (OBESEPI/ALDEPI Cohort, NCT02663388). They received a daily multivitamin/micronutrients supplement. Follow-up data at 4 visits, 2, 12, 18 and 24 months after surgery, were collected.

RESULTS

The highest rate of deficits was observed at visit 1 for vitamin D (35.7%), iron (21.9%) and folate (10.2%). Except B12, the deficits of all micronutrients decreased in later visits. In contrast, cases with vitamin B12 deficit decreased from 13.5% at surgery to 2.0% at visit 1, and increased in later visits, with a maximum of 12.0% at visit 3. Vitamin B12 concentration at surgery was the single predictor of B12 deficit at visit 3. It was also associated with age, and APRI score, an index of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The failure of systematic supplementation with multivitamin/trace elements tablets to prevent specific deficits illustrates the need for adapted specific supplementations, in some cases. The worsening of B12 deficit rate in the 18-24 months follow-up depends in part to low B12 at time of surgery. A special consideration should be devoted to this subset of patients. The cohort study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02663388.

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.

Role of Functional Biomarkers to Identify Early Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Patients with Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and objectives: Although laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is effective for obesity management, postoperative vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency is of major concern. In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the levels of B12 and its related functional biomarkers, namely, total homocysteine (tHcy), methylmalonic acid (MMA), folate, methylcitric acid (MCA), and hemoglobin (Hb), in one-year postoperative LSG patients and matched controls. Materials and Methods: Plasma B12, tHcy, MMA, folate, and MCA were measured in matched controls (n = 66) and patients (n = 71) using validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry techniques and protocols in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Results: The median B12 concentration in patients (177 pmol/L) was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than in the controls (334.7 pmol/L). The tHcy and MMA levels were significantly increased (p < 0.001 and p = 0.011, respectively) and folate levels were significantly decreased (p = 0.001) in the LSG patients compared to the controls. Interestingly, no significant difference in MCA levels were observed between the two groups. The levels of tHcy and MMA were concomitantly increased with the decreased folate levels in postoperative LSG patients when compared with the controls. The Hb levels were significantly lower in males and females in the patient group compared with those in the control group, respectively (p = 0.005 and p = 0.043). Conclusions: This is the first report of serum levels of B12 and its functional biomarkers in postoperative LSG patients among a local population from the UAE. Our findings revealed significant alterations of the B12 biomarkers, total B12, MMA, and tHcy in one-year postoperative LSG patients.

Bariatric Surgery in Obesity: Effects on Gut Microbiota and Micronutrient Status

Obesity is associated with reduced gut microbial diversity and a high rate of micronutrient deficiency. Bariatric surgery, the therapy of choice for severe obesity, produces sustained weight loss and improvements in obesity-related comorbidities. Also, it significantly alters the gut microbiota (GM) composition and function, which might have an important impact on the micronutrient status as GM is able to synthesize certain vitamins, such as riboflavin, folate, B12, or vitamin K2. However, recent data have reported that GM is not fully restored after bariatric surgery; therefore, manipulation of GM through probiotics represents a promising therapeutic approach in bariatric patients. In this review, we discuss the latest evidence concerning the relationship between obesity, GM and micronutrients, the impact of bariatric surgery on GM in relation with micronutrients equilibrium, and the importance of the probiotics' supplementation in obese patients submitted to surgical treatment.

The Many Faces of Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) Deficiency

Although cobalamin (vitamin B₁₂) deficiency was described over a century ago, it is still difficult to establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment. Symptoms related to vitamin B₁₂ deficiency may be diverse and vary from neurologic to psychiatric. A number of individuals with vitamin B₁₂ deficiency may present with the classic megaloblastic anemia.

In clinical practice, many cases of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency are overlooked or sometimes even misdiagnosed. In this review, we describe the heterogeneous disease spectrum of patients with vitamin B₁₂ deficiency in whom the diagnosis was either based on low serum B₁₂ levels, elevated biomarkers like methylmalonic acid and/or homocysteine, or the improvement of clinical symptoms after the institution of parenteral vitamin B₁₂ therapy. We discuss the possible clinical signs and symptoms of patients with B₁₂ deficiency and the various pitfalls of diagnosis and treatment.

Comparison of Diabetes Remission and Micronutrient Deficiency in a Mildly Obese Diabetic Rat Model Undergoing SADI-S Versus RYGB

BACKGROUND

Single-anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) has launched a huge challenge to classic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Our objective was to compare diabetes remission and micronutrient deficiency in a mildly obese diabetic rat model undergoing SADI-S versus RYGB.

METHODS

Thirty adult male mildly obese diabetic rats were randomly assigned to sham (S), SADI-S, and RYGB groups. Body weight, food intake, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), plasma insulin, GLP-1, and ghrelin levels were measured at indicated time points. Meanwhile, insulin sensitivity and pancreatic β cell function were assessed during OGTT. Finally, plasma micronutrient evaluation and islet β cell mass analysis were performed after all animals were sacrificed.

RESULTS

As compared to sham, the SADI-S and RYGB groups achieved almost equivalent efficacy in caloric restriction and FPG control without excessive weight loss. During OGTT, the SADI-S and RYGB groups also provided comparable effects on glycemic excursion, insulin sensitivity, and β cell function; however, only rats in the RYGB group showed significant changes in gut hormones, whereas the three groups were found to exhibit no significant difference in β cell mass. In addition, only vitamin E in the RYGB group was deficient as compared with the SADI-S and S groups.

CONCLUSION

In mildly obese diabetic rat, SADI-S and RYGB procedures have comparable efficacy in diabetes remission and risk of micronutrient deficiency. These data show that each of the surgery accomplishes diabetes improvements through both overlapping and distinct mechanisms requiring further investigation.