VITAMIN D LEVELS AND LIPID PROFILE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING BARIATRIC SURGERY

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Vitamin, mineral, and metabolic deficiencies occur in the postoperative period of bariatric surgery, in the short and long term, and are worrisome intercurrences. AIMS: To evaluate the association of serum vitamin D levels with the lipid profile in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. METHODS: Case series of patients assisted from 2010 to 2018, in a private hospital of medium and high complexity, who underwent bariatric surgery using sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass techniques, monitored by the same surgeon. Sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory, and anthropometric data were collected preoperatively and at 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 156 individuals, mostly female (75.6%) were monitored. The most frequent comorbidities were hepatic steatosis (76.3%) and hypertension (48.27). Regarding preoperative vitamin D levels, only 18.9% of the population had a satisfactory level (≥30 ng/mL). There was a reduction in weight and an improvement in the lipid profile after surgery. Significant correlations were observed between the lipid profile and vitamin D concentration only in the sample submitted to the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass technique: negative correlation between total cholesterol and vitamin D two years after surgery; positive correlation between triglycerides and vitamin D one year after surgery; and negative correlation between high-density lipoprotein and vitamin D two years post-surgery. CONCLUSIONS: It is essential to routinely monitor vitamin D levels and lipid profile pre- and postoperatively in order to avoid damage associated with this vitamin deficiency

Respiratory and systemic effects of LASSBio596 plus surfactant in experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome

Background/Aims: Exogenous surfactant has been proposed as adjunctive therapy for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but it is inactivated by different factors present in the alveolar space. We hypothesized that co-administration of LASSBio596, a molecule with significant anti-inflammatory properties, and exogenous surfactant could reduce lung inflammation, thus enabling the surfactant to reduce edema and improve lung function, in experimental ARDS. Methods: ARDS was induced by cecal ligation and puncture surgery in BALB/c mice. A sham-operated group was used as control (CTRL). After surgery (6 hours), CTRL and ARDS animals were assigned to receive: (1) sterile saline solution; (2) LASSBio596; (3) exogenous surfactant or (4) LASSBio596 plus exogenous surfactant (n = 22/group). Results: Regardless of exogenous surfactant administration, LASSBio596 improved survival rate and reduced collagen fiber content, total number of cells and neutrophils in PLF and blood, cell apoptosis, protein content in BALF, and urea and creatinine levels. LASSBio596 plus surfactant yielded all of the aforementioned beneficial effects, as well as increased BALF lipid content and reduced surface tension. Conclusion: LASSBio596 exhibited major anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrogenic effects in experimental sepsis-induced ARDS. Its association with surfactant may provide further advantages, potentially by reducing surface tension

Moderate Aerobic Training Improves Cardiorespiratory Parameters in Elastase-Induced Emphysema

Aim: We investigated the therapeutic effects of aerobic training on lung mechanics, inflammation, morphometry and biological markers associated with inflammation and endothelial cell damage, as well as cardiac function in a model of elastase-induced emphysema. Methods: Eighty-four BALB/c mice were randomly allocated to receive saline (control, C) or 0.1 IU porcine pancreatic elastase (emphysema, ELA) intratracheally once weekly for 4 weeks. After the end of administration period, once cardiorespiratory impairment associated with emphysema was confirmed, each group was further randomized into sedentary (S) and trained (T) subgroups. Trained mice ran on a motorized treadmill, at moderate intensity, 30 min/day, 3 times/week for 4 weeks. Results: Four weeks after the first instillation, ELA animals, compared to C, showed: 1) reduced static lung elastance (Est,L) and levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in lung tissue, 2) increased elastic and collagen fiber content, dynamic elastance (E, in vitro), alveolar hyperinflation, and levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and 3) increased right ventricular diastolic area (RVA). Four weeks after aerobic training, ELA-T group, compared to ELA-S, was associated with reduced lung hyperinflation, elastic and collagen fiber content, TNF-α levels, and RVA, as well as increased Est,L, E, and levels of VEGF. Conclusion: Four weeks of regular and moderate intensity aerobic training modulated lung inflammation and remodeling, thus improving pulmonary function, and reduced RVA and pulmonary arterial hypertension in this animal model of elastase-induced emphysema