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Background: Increased epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume is a common feature in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) which is directly associated with heart failure and advanced atherosclerosis. We aimed to evaluate lipoprotein-related biomarkers of EAT volume in T2DM patients before and after glycemic control. Methods: This study included 36 T2DM patients before and after optimization of glycemic control and on 14 healthy controls (HCs). EAT volume was measured using computed tomography imaging indexed to the body surface area (iEAT). Biochemical and lipid profiles were determined using commercial methods. Lipoproteins were isolated by ultracentrifugation, and variables of lipoprotein function were assessed. Multivariable regression analysis was used to find variables independently associated with iEAT. Results: iEAT was higher in T2DM than in controls and decreased with glycemic optimization. HDLs from T2DM had less apoA-I and cholesterol and more apoC-III and triglycerides. LDLs from T2DM had more triglycerides and apoB and smaller sizes than those from HCs. Significant correlations were found between iEAT and age, BMI, HbA1c, GGT, VLDLc, triglycerides, LDL size, apoA-I in HDL, and apoC-III in HDL. In the multivariable regression analysis, age, LDL size, and GGT associations remained statistically significant, and predicted 50% of the variability in EAT volume. ROC analysis using these variables showed an AUC of 0.835. Conclusions: Qualitative characteristics of lipoproteins were altered in T2DM. Multivariable analysis showed that LDL size and GGT plasma levels were independently associated with iEAT volume, suggesting that these variables might be useful biomarkers for stratifying T2DM patients with increased EAT volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Outcomes of bariatric surgery (BS) in patients with schizophrenia are poorly understood. We aimed to analyze the effects of BS in patients with schizophrenia (SZ) or schizoaffective disorder (SZA). Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective case-control study in patients with SZ or SZA who had undergone BS in seven public referral hospitals in Spain. Controls without psychiatric comorbidity were selected in a 1:4 ratio. Detailed clinical and biochemical data were collected preoperatively and at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months after BS. Results: Twenty patients with SZ (n = 15; 75%) or SZA (n = 5; 25%) and 80 matched controls were studied. There were no differences between patients and controls concerning the evolution of the percentage of total weight loss. The remission rate of the main comorbidities was similar between groups except for hypertension, which was lower in patients with a psychotic disorder from year 3. There were no mortalities within 30 days of surgery in either group. The psychiatric medication burden did not change during follow-up. Conclusions: BS is safe and effective in carefully selected patients with SZ. The course of the psychiatric disease does not seem to be worsened by the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Obesity is associated with hypogonadism, sexual dysfunction, and impaired fertility in men. However, its effects on semen parameters or sexual function remain debatable. (2) Methods: This paper involves a longitudinal study in men submitted for obesity surgery at a university tertiary hospital. Patients were studied at baseline and at 6, 12, and 18 months after obesity surgery. At each visit, anthropometry measures were collected and hormonal and semen parameters were studied. Sexual function was evaluated with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). (3) Results: A total of 12 patients were included. The average body mass index of patients decreased from 42.37 ± 4.44 to 29.6 ± 3.77 kg/m2 at 18 months after surgery (p < 0.05). Hormonal parameters improved after obesity surgery. The proportion of sperm cells with normal morphology tended to decrease from baseline and became most significant at 18 months (5.83 ± 4.50 vs. 2.82 ± 2.08). No significant changes were found in the remaining semen parameters. Erectile function improved significantly at six months after surgery. (4) Conclusions: The authors believe that, in general, the effects of obesity surgery on fertility may be limited or even deleterious (at least in the short and midterm follow-up). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of bariatric surgery on lipid profile and the qualitative characteristics of lipoproteins was analyzed in morbidly obese subjects. Thirteen obese patients underwent bariatric surgery. Plasma samples were obtained before surgery and at 6 and 12 months after the intervention. Thirteen healthy subjects comprised the control group. Lipid profile, hsCRP, and the composition and functional characteristics of VLDL, LDL, and HDL were assessed. At baseline, plasma from subjects with obesity had more triglycerides, VLDLc, and hsCRP, and less HDLc than the control group. These levels progressively normalized after surgery, although triglyceride and hsCRP levels remained higher than those in the controls. The main differences in lipoprotein composition between the obese subjects and the controls were increased apoE in VLDL, and decreased cholesterol and apoJ and increased apoC-III content in HDL. The pro-/anti-atherogenic properties of LDL and HDL were altered in the subjects with obesity at baseline compared with the controls, presenting smaller LDL particles that are more susceptible to modification and smaller HDL particles with decreased antioxidant capacity. Bariatric surgery normalized the composition of lipoproteins and improved the qualitative characteristics of LDL and HDL. In summary, patients with obesity present multiple alterations in the qualitative properties of lipoproteins compared with healthy subjects. Bariatric surgery reverted most of these alterations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almost one third of patients do not achieve type 2 diabetes remission after bariatric surgery or are unable to sustain this effect long term. Our objective was to delve further into the dynamic responses of diabetes after bariatric surgery and to evaluate the "time-within-remission range" as a variable of metabolic control. A descriptive cohort study was done using a computerised multicentre and multidisciplinary registry. All data were adjusted by propensity score. A total of 1186 subjects with a follow-up of 4.5 ± 2.5 years were included. Type of surgery, diabetes remission, recurrence of diabetes, "time-within-remission range" and key predictors of diabetes outcomes were assessed. All patients (70% women, 51.4 ± 9.2 years old, body mass index (BMI) 46.3 ± 6.9 kg/m2) underwent primary bariatric procedures. "Time-within-remission range" were 83.3% (33.3–91.6) after gastric bypass, 68.7% (7.1–87.5) after sleeve gastrectomy and 90% (83.3–92.8) after malabsorptive techniques (p < 0.001 for all). Duration of diabetes, baseline HbA1c and insulin treatment were significantly negatively correlated with the "time-within-remission range". The association of bariatric techniques with "time-within-remission range", using gastric bypass as a reference, were: odds ratio (OR) 3.70 (2.34–5.84), p < 0.001 for malabsorptive techniques and OR 0.55 (0.40–0.75), p < 0.001 for sleeve gastrectomy. Characteristics of type 2 diabetes powerfully influence the outcomes of bariatric surgery. The "time-within-remission range" unveils a superiority of gastric bypass compared to sleeve gastrectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipoprotein characteristics were analyzed in familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCH) patients before and after statin treatment. Twenty-six FCH patients were classified according to the presence (HTG group, n = 13) or absence (normotriglyceridemic (NTG) group, n = 13) of hypertriglyceridemia. Fifteen healthy subjects comprised the control group. Lipid profile, inflammation markers, and qualitative characteristics of lipoproteins were assessed. Both groups of FCH subjects showed high levels of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity and apolipoprotein J. Statins reverted the increased levels of Lp-PLA2 and CRP. Lipoprotein composition alterations detected in FCH subjects were much more frequent in the HTG group, leading to dysfunctional low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). In the HTG group, LDL was smaller, more susceptible to oxidation, and contained more electronegative LDL (LDL(-)) compared to the NTG and control groups. Regarding HDL, the HTG group had less Lp-PLA2 activity than the NTG and control groups. HDL from both FCH groups was less anti-inflammatory than HDL from the control group. Statins increased LDL size, decreased LDL(-), and lowered Lp-PLA2 in HDL from HTG. In summary, pro-atherogenic alterations were more frequent and severe in the HTG group. Statins improved some alterations, but many remained unchanged in HTG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]