Background: Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for severe obesity. It also ameliorates diabetes independently of weight loss through mechanisms that are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the levels of GH, IGF-1 and IGF-binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) after gastric sleeve surgery in healthy obese individuals. Method: This study was conducted in 33 obese (BMI > 38.3) healthy male subjects aged 25 to 50 years undergoing sleeve gastrectomy. GH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-2 levels were evaluated by ELISA at baseline and 6-12 months after surgery. Other parameters, such as glucose, BMI, insulin, HOMA-IR and lipid profile, were also investigated. Results: Systemic GH (12.32 vs. 50.97 pg/mL, p < 0.001) and IGFBP-2 levels (51.86 vs. 68.81 pg/mL, p < 0.001) were elevated after bariatric surgery. There was no change in IGF-1 level from before to after surgery. BMI (52.18 vs. 40.11, p = 0.001), insulin (19.35 vs. 8.80 mIU/L, p < 0.001) and HOMA-IR index (6.48 to 2.52, p < 0.001) were reduced after surgery. Lipid profile analysis revealed that total cholesterol (4.26 vs. 5.12 mmol/L, p < 0.001) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (0.90 to 1.55 mmol/L, p < 0.001) were increased, while triglycerides were decreased, after surgery (1.62 vs. 1.05 mmol/L p < 0.001). GH, IGF-1, and IGFBP-2 were not correlated with insulin or lipid parameters. Conclusions: Our study suggests that improved circulating GH and IGFBP-2 levels may mediate the beneficial effects of gastric sleeve surgery in improving insulin sensitivity and reducing insulin demand.

Background: screening for prostate cancer (PCa) is surrounded by controversies regarding the benefits, risks and uncertainties of undergoing the screening. Current practices of prostate cancer involve measuring the level of PSA and digital rectal examination. This study aimed to measure the knowledge and awareness of undergoing a prostate cancer screening and the available treatment options amongst the participants. Method: a questionnaire-based quantitative cross-sectional study which focuses on determining the knowledge of prostate cancer screening and management in a hospital in Riyadh. Results: three hundred and twenty-three participants filled the surveys (100% males), more than 80% of all ages had heard about prostate cancer and that it is a disease of the male. A higher level of education is significantly associated with the level of awareness (P-value <0.001). More educated participants selected 40 years old as the appropriate age for PCa screening (P-value 0.009) and radiotherapy as the mode of treatment (P-value 0.01). 43.34% saw PCa as a cause of death and 41.4% saw it associated with smoking. Only 17.84% undergo continuous PCa screening most of them in 50-60 age group with "reassurance" as the main motivator. 37.8% of the participants did not know the symptoms of PCa and around 25% selected pain in micturition, difficult frequent micturition and bone pain as symptoms of PCa. Conclusion: although prostate cancer is known amongst the majority of the participants, only a minority of them has knowledge of the symptoms and undergoes regular screening.

Background Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for severe obesity. It also ameliorates diabetes independently of weight loss through mechanisms that are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the levels of GH, IGF-1 and IGF-binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) after gastric sleeve surgery in healthy obese individuals. Method This study was conducted in 33 obese (BMI > 38.3) healthy male subjects aged 25 to 50 years undergoing sleeve gastrectomy. GH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-2 levels were evaluated by ELISA at baseline and 6-12 months after surgery. Other parameters, such as glucose, BMI, insulin, HOMA-IR and lipid profile, were also investigated. Results Systemic GH (12.32 vs. 50.97 pg/mL, p < 0.001) and IGFBP-2 levels (51.86 vs. 68.81 pg/mL, p < 0.001) were elevated after bariatric surgery. There was no change in IGF-1 level from before to after surgery. BMI (52.18 vs. 40.11, p = 0.001), insulin (19.35 vs. 8.80 mIU/L, p < 0.001) and HOMA-IR index (6.48 to 2.52, p < 0.001) were reduced after surgery. Lipid profile analysis revealed that total cholesterol (4.26 vs. 5.12 mmol/L, p < 0.001) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (0.90 to 1.55 mmol/L, p < 0.001) were increased, while triglycerides were decreased, after surgery (1.62 vs. 1.05 mmol/L p < 0.001). GH, IGF-1, and IGFBP-2 were not correlated with insulin or lipid parameters. Conclusions Our study suggests that improved circulating GH and IGFBP-2 levels may mediate the beneficial effects of gastric sleeve surgery in improving insulin sensitivity and reducing insulin demand.

Background Bariatric or weight loss surgery is an effective treatment for severe obesity. Reduced calorie intake or malabsorption are not the only mechanism, alterations in the activity of certain hormones and neurotransmitters are also the contributory mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the levels of GH, IGF-1 and IGF-binding protein (IGFBP-2) after bariatric surgery in obese individuals.Method Plasma GH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-2 levels were measured by ELISA in 33 obese (BMI >38.3) healthy male subjects age ranged from 25 to 50 years before and six months after gastric sleeve surgery. Plasma glucose, BMI, insulin, HOMA-IR and lipid profile were also investigated.Results Systemic GH (from 12.32±1.3 to 50.97±0.339 ρg/mL, P<0.001) and IGFBP-2 (51.86±11.21 to 68.81±13.36 ρg/mL, P<0.001) levels were elevated after bariatric surgery. However there was no change in IGF-1 levels. BMI (from 52.18±9.86 Kg/m2 to 40.11±8.92 Kg/m2, P<0.001), insulin (19.35±0.304 mIU/L to 8.80±0.181 mIU/L, P<0.001) and Homeostatic model assessment- Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index was also reduced from 6.48+0.164 to 2.52 ± 0.061 (p<0.001) were also reduced 6 months after bariatric surgery. Cholesterol, high density lipoproteins (HDL), and low density lipoproteins (LDL) levels were increased after surgery (4.26±0.027 to 5.12±0.026 mmol/L and 0.90±0.007 to 1.55±0.011 mmol/L and 2.62±0.02 to 2.98±0.022 mmol/L, P<0.001) respectively. There was no correlation between GH, IGF-1, IGFBP-2and insulin and lipid parameters.Conclusions Our study suggests that improved circulating GH and IGFBP-2 levels associated with increased levels cholesterol and triglycerides may be an endocrine response to mediate beneficial effects of bariatric surgery.

Background Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for severe obesity. It also ameliorates diabetes independently of weight loss through mechanisms that are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the levels of GH, IGF-1 and IGF-binding protein (IGFBP-2) after gastric sleeve surgery in healthy obese individuals. Method This study was conducted in 33 obese (BMI >38.3) healthy male subjects aged 25 to 50 years undergoing sleeve gastrectomy. GH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-2 levels were evaluated by ELISA at baseline and 6-12 months after surgery. Other parameters, such as glucose, BMI, insulin, HOMA-IR and lipid profile, were also investigated. Results Systemic GH (12.32 vs. 50.97 pg/mL, p < 0.001) and IGFBP-2 levels (51.86 vs. 68.81 pg/mL, p < 0.001) were elevated after bariatric surgery. There was no change in IGF-1 level from before to after surgery. BMI (52.18 vs. 40.11, p = 0.001), insulin (19.35 vs. 8.80 mIU/L, p < 0.001) and HOMA-IR index (6.48 to 2.52, p < 0.001) were reduced after surgery. Lipid profile analysis revealed that total cholesterol (4.26 vs. 5.12 mmol/L, p < 0.001) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (0.90 to 1.55 mmol/L, p < 0.001) were increased, while triglycerides were decreased, after surgery (1.62 vs. 1.05 mmol/L p < 0.001). GH, IGF-1, and IGFBP-2 were not correlated with insulin or lipid parameters. Conclusions Our study suggests that improved circulating GH and IGFBP-2 levels may mediate the beneficial effects of gastric sleeve surgery in improving insulin sensitivity and reducing insulin demand.