Abstract 195: Effects of Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy on HDL Function in Adolescents with Severe Obesity

Abstract

Severe obesity is a major problem among US adolescents and traditional weight loss strategies, including lifestyle intervention, have had limited efficacy. Bariatric surgery has grown in popularity because it results in rapid weight loss while improving cardiovascular disease risk factors, including raising high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Whether this rise in HDL-C translates into improved HDL cardioprotective function is not clear, particularly in adolescents. We studied the impact of weight loss surgery (vertical sleeve gastrectomy) in adolescents with severe obesity on HDL function pre and one year post operatively. Adolescents underwent laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy between in 2008-2011. HDL function (cholesterol efflux, HDL oxidation, and HDL inflammatory index) was measured pre and post-surgery on stored serum (-80°C) after apolipoprotein B depletion with polyethylene glycol. Only males were studied in this pilot study to minimize the known effects of sex and the menstrual cycle on lipoproteins. Changes pre and post-surgery were evaluated using paired t-tests. Participants (n=10, 90% Caucasian) were a mean±SD age of 17.4±1.6 years at baseline and 18.4 ±1.5 years at follow-up. After vertical sleeve gastrectomy, BMI was 32% lower than baseline (p<0.01). All lipid measurements improved and HDL-C increased by 23%. HDL function significantly improved post vertical sleeve gastrectomy compared to baseline, all p<0.01 (cholesterol efflux by 12%, HDL oxidation potential by 30%, and HDL inflammatory index by 25%). We conclude that vertical sleeve gastrectomy results in a significant improvement in HDL cholesterol levels and HDL function in adolescents with severe obesity. Whether these changes result in long term improvement in cardiovascular health remains to be determined.