RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with a low-grade inflammatory state. A causal association between inflammation and atherosclerosis has been suggested. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the proinflammatory profile of morbidly obese patients after weight loss following bariatric surgery. METHODS: In this study, we measured levels of adiponectin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and their relation to insulin resistance and lipid parameters in 60 morbidly obese women at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months after gastric bypass. RESULTS: Twelve months after surgery, there was a significant increase in plasma levels of adiponectin (p < 0.001) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.01) and a significant decrease in levels of IL-6 (p < 0.001), hs-CRP (p < 0.001), cholesterol (p < 0.001), triglycerides (p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.001), glucose (p < 0.001), insulin (p < 0.001) and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA; p < 0.001). At 12 months, correlations were seen between IL-6 levels and the following: body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.53, p < 0.001), insulin (r = 0.51, p < 0.001) and HOMA (r = 0.55, p < 0.001). Also, hs-CRP levels correlated with BMI (r = 0.40, p = 0. 004), triglycerides (r = 0.34, p = 0.017), insulin (r = 0.50, p = 0.001) and HOMA (r = 0.46, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with morbid obesity, significant weight loss is followed by a significant improvement in the inflammatory state, insulin sensitivity and lipid profile. A relationship exists between improved inflammatory profile and insulin sensitivity.