BACKGROUND: Human adipose tissue expresses and releases proinflammatory cytokines and these measures of chronic inflammation have recently been associated with obesity. HYPOTHESIS: To test whether the proinflammatory state is reversible in subjects undergoing weight loss by surgical measures. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty morbidly obese women participated in this prospective study. Subjects were examined for fat mass, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) before and 1 y after Swedish adjustable gastric banding. RESULTS: Anthropometric measures displayed a significant reduction of the body mass index (BMI) from 41.6 AE 5.4 to 30.8 AE 6.1 kg=m 2 and the fat mass from 53.9 AE 10.3 to 29.8 AE 12.1 kg (mean AE s.d.). Hs-CRP levels decreased significantly from 1.33 AE 1.21 mg=dl in pre-gastric banding subjects to 0.40 AE 0.61 mg=dl in post-gastric banding subjects, respectively. IL-6 and TNF-a levels did not differ significantly between pre-and post-gastric banding subjects. CONCLUSIONS: We speculate that in these patients the marked reduction in C-reactive protein might be beneficial in reducing their cardiovascular risk and is not solely mediated by IL-6 and TNF-a.

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The results indicate that many of the sexual problems in obese individuals are the result of an underlying lack of self-esteem, unsatisfactory relationships, or collective stigmatization of obese individuals. Binge eating, often found in morbidly obese patients, seems to be less the result of or compensation for sexual problems but is more likely to stem from other psychosocial or psychological problems.

Preexisting gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal motility disorders may affect the outcome of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (AGB).

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Pregnancy in morbidly obese women soon after adjustable gastric banding may occur unexpectedly during a period of weight loss. Prophylactic fluid removal from the band eliminates the efficacy of the obesity treatment. Moreover, this cohort shows an increased incidence of spontaneous abortions and band-related complications.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the relationship between clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and atherosclerosis, using colour Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) and symptom scores. PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS CDUS was used to evaluate prostatic vascularity in four groups of men, comprising young healthy subjects, patients presenting with coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, or peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). Resistive index (RI) measurements and computer‐assisted quantification of colour pixel density (CPD) were used to objectively evaluate perfusion. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the International Index of Erectile Function were used to quantify symptoms. RESULTS In diabetic patients and men with PAOD, perfusion of the transition zone (TZ) of the prostate was significantly lower (P < 0.001) and the RI of the TZ was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than in healthy controls and men with CAD. In diabetics and men with PAOD, the mean prostate volume was greater than in healthy controls and men with CAD. The IPSS in patients with vascular damage (diabetes, PAOD) was significantly worse than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS The significantly lower CPD and higher RI values of the TZ in patients with vascular disease than in healthy subjects support the hypothesis that an age‐related impairment of blood supply to the prostate has a key role in the development of BPH.

. Weight loss increases soluble leptin receptor levels and the soluble receptor bound fraction of leptin. Obes Res. 2002;10:597-601. Objective: Soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R) represents the main binding site for leptin in human blood. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between leptin and soluble leptin receptor and the bound/free ratio after pronounced weight reduction. Research Methods and Procedures:A total of 18 morbidly obese women participated in this prospective study. Subjects were examined for fat mass, leptin, and sOB-R concentrations before and 1 year after Swedish adjustable gastric banding. Results: Anthropomorphic measures displayed a significant reduction of body mass index [(42.9 Ϯ 5.6 to 32.9 Ϯ 6.0 kg/m 2 (mean Ϯ SD)]. Fat mass decreased from 56.3 Ϯ 9.0 to 33.9 Ϯ 12.5 kg. Plasma leptin concentration decreased from 44.6 Ϯ 18.0 to 20.0 Ϯ 13.1 ng/mL (p Ͻ 0.001), whereas the sOB-R levels increased from 11.1 Ϯ 3.6 to 16.6 Ϯ 6.0 U/mL after weight-reducing surgery. Thus, the sOB-R bound fraction of leptin increased from 7% to 33%. Discussion: This work demonstrates a relationship between weight loss, leptin, and sOB-R concentrations in vivo. During weight loss, leptin levels decreased, whereas sOB-R levels and the receptor bound fraction of leptin increased. Thus, sOB-R may negatively regulate free leptin.