Growth hormone and ghrelin secretion in severely obese women before and after bariatric surgery.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate ghrelin and growth hormone (GH) interactions and responses to a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)/arginine test in severe obesity before and after surgically-induced weight loss.

Research Methods And Procedures: Our study population included 11 severely obese women 39 +/- 12 years of age, with a mean BMI of 48.6 +/- 2.

Massive weight loss decreases corticosteroid-binding globulin levels and increases free cortisol in healthy obese patients: an adaptive phenomenon?

Objective: Obesity, insulin resistance, and weight loss have been associated with changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. So far, no conclusive data relating to this association are available. In this study, we aim to investigate the effects of massive weight loss on cortisol suppressibility, cortisol-binding globulin (CBG), and free cortisol index (FCI) in formerly obese women.

Effect of massive weight loss on inflammatory adipocytokines and the innate immune system in morbidly obese women.

Context: Obesity may be regarded as a low-grade inflammatory state.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in pro-inflammatory adipocytokines and the innate immune system, cardiovascular risk, and insulin sensitivity after massive weight loss.

Design: This was a longitudinal study.

Predictors of weight loss and reversal of comorbidities in malabsorptive bariatric surgery.

Background: Cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities are dramatically increased in severe obesity, a condition highly resistant to nonsurgical therapy.

Objective: The objective was to identify predictors of weight loss and reversal of comorbidity in obese patients undergoing malabsorptive bariatric surgery.

Design: Morbidly obese men and women (n = 107) were studied before and 2 y after biliopancreatic diversion (BPD).

Ghrelin does not influence gastric emptying in obese subjects.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between fasting plasma concentrations of ghrelin and gastric emptying in obese individuals compared with lean subjects.

Research Methods And Procedures: We included 20 obese patients (9 men and 11 women, BMI > 30 kg/m2) and 16 nonobese control subjects (7 men and 9 women, BMI < or = 25 kg/m2). Gastric emptying of solids (egg sandwich labeled with radionuclide) was measured at 120 minutes with (99m)Tc-single photon emission computed tomography imaging.