Basal GLP-1 levels in morbidly obese patients following biliopancreatic diversion surgery.

Background: Previous studies addressing the changes of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) concentrations in morbidly obese patients after bariatric surgery have demonstrated conflicting results. The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in serum GLP-1 levels 9 months after biliopancreatic diversion in morbidly obese patients without diabetes mellitus.

Methods: A sample of 40 morbidly obese patients without diabetes mellitus was enrolled. Biochemical and anthropometrical evaluations were conducted at basal and 9 months after surgery.

Results: The mean patient age was 46.6 ± 13.1 years, and the mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 47.1 ± 18.1. A significant decrease in BMI, weight, waist circumference, fat mass, glucose, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels was observed after 9 months. Serum basal GLP-1 levels did not change after surgery (0.65 ± 0.18 ng/ml vs. 0.66 ± 0.17 ng/ml; n.s.). Postsurgical correlation analysis showed a negative association between basal GLP-1 and HDL cholesterol (r = -0.57; p < 0.01).

Conclusions: Fasting GLP-1 concentrations did not change after massive weight loss with biliopancreatic diversion in morbidly obese patients without diabetes mellitus.