Laparoscopic gastric banding surgery performed in obese dialysis patients prior to kidney transplantation

Obese patients with end-stage renal disease who receive a kidney transplant experience greater rates of posttransplantation diabetes, delayed graft function, and local wound complications. Many centers exclude obese patients from transplantation programs. Diet, exercise, and medication in general are not reliable weight loss options for patients with end-stage renal disease; hence, bariatric surgery should be considered. We report 3 patients who underwent laparoscopically adjustable gastric banding, which enabled sufficient weight loss to gain eligibility for kidney transplantation. All these patients subsequently underwent successful uncomplicated kidney transplantations. Am J Kidney Dis 52:e15-e17. (C) 2008 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc

Folate supplementation fails to affect vascular function and carotid artery intima media thickness in cyclosporin A-treated renal transplant recipients

Background: Cyclosporin A (CsA)-treated renal transplant recipients (RTR) exhibit relative hyperhomocystinemia and vascular dysfunction. Folate supplementation lowers homocysteine and has been shown to improve vascular function in healthy subjects and patients with coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of 3 months of folate supplementation (5 mg/day) on vascular function and structure in RTR. Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study was conducted in 10 CsA-treated RTR. Vascular structure was measured as carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) and function was assessed as changes in brachial artery diameter during reactive hyperemia (RE) and in response to glyceryl trinitrate (GTN). Function data were analyzed as absolute and percent change from baseline and area under the diameter/time curve. Blood samples were collected before and after supplementation and analyzed for total plasma homocysteine, folate, vitamin B-12 and asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) in addition to regular measures of hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and serum creatinine. Results: Folate supplementation significantly increased plasma folate by 687% (p 0.05) in vitamin B 12 or ADMA. There were no significant (p > 0.05) changes in vascular structure or function during the placebo or the folate supplementation phases; IMT; placebo pre mean +/- SD, 0.52 +/- 0.12, post 0.50 +/- 0.11; folate pre 0.55 +/- 0.17, post 0.49 +/- 10.20 mm 5% change in brachial artery diameter (RH, placebo pre 10 +/- 8, post 6 +/- 5; folate pre 9 +/- 7, post 7 +/- 5; GTN, placebo pre 18 +/- 10, post 17 +/- 9, folate pre 16 +/- 9, post-supplementation 18 +/- 8). Conclusion: Three months of folate supplementation decreases plasma homocysteine but has no effect on endothelial function or carotid artery IMT in RTR

Central blood pressure measurement may improve risk stratification

Central systolic blood pressure (SBP) may differ between individuals with similar brachial SBP, which may have implications for risk assessment. This study aimed to determine the variation and potential clinical value of central SBP between patients with similar brachial SBP. Brachial SBP was measured by sphygmomanometer and central SBP by radial tonometry in 675 people (430 men), comprising healthy individuals (n=222), patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (n=229) and diabetes (n=224). Individuals were stratified by brachial SBP in accordance with European Society of Hypertension guidelines (optimal, normal, high-normal, grades 1, 2 and 3 hypertension). The potential clinical value of central SBP was determined from the percentage of patients re-classified into different brachial SBP groups due to the difference between brachial and aortic SBP (defined as brachial SBP–central SBP). Central SBP increased with each brachial SBP level (optimal to grade 3 hypertension;

Cardiorespiratory fitness is positively associated with increased pancreatic beta cell function independent of fatness in individuals with the metabolic syndrome: Fitness versus fatness.

The vulnerability of individuals with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) to cardiovascular events (CVEs) is attenuated by increased cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), despite the presence of obesity as a usual component of MetS. To better understand the importance of CRF and body fat in treating this condition, we investigated the relationship between fitness and fatness with pancreatic beta cell function (BCF) indices that are known independent predictors of CVEs. Cross sectional study. This study included 84 individuals with MetS. BCF indices were derived from a fasted steady state (basal disposition index [DI], proinsulin, proinsulin:insulin, and proinsulin:C-peptide) and dynamic conditions via an oral glucose tolerance test (1st and 2nd phase DI). CRF and body fat percentage (BF%) were assessed via indirect calorimetry (during a maximal exercise test) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, respectively. CRF was positively associated with basal DI (r=0.40, p<0.001), 1st phase DI (r=0.49, p<0.005), and 2nd phase DI (r=0.38, p=0.02). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed CRF was associated with basal DI (β=0.18, p=0.04), 1st phase DI (β=0.36, p=0.04), and 2nd phase DI (β=0.33, p=0.03), independent of BF% and other confounding factors including age, sex, diabetic status, anthropometric measures, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity. No significant associations were found between CRF and proinsulin measures. BF% was not significantly correlated with BCF indices. Increased CRF was independently associated with enhanced BCF. This study provides evidence that equal, if not more attention should be dedicated to CRF improvement relative to fat-loss for favorable pancreatic BCF and thus possible reduction in CV risk in individuals with MetS