Impact of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding on plasma ghrelin, eating behaviour and body weight

Background  Plasma ghrelin, an orexigenic peptide derived from the stomach and duodenum, increases following weight loss and might contribute to weight regain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) on body weight and body composition as well as plasma ghrelin in relation to eating behaviour in morbidly obese patients. Materials and methods  This study was performed in 23 morbidly obese subjects who underwent standardized LAGB. Fasting plasma ghrelin was measured before and 6 months after surgery and was correlated with body weight, body composition, and eating behaviour. Results  Six months after LAGB, body weight decreased significantly by −15·7 ± 1·4 kg (mean ± SEM, P = 0·0001) which was accompanied by an increased cognitive restraint of eating (P = 0·001), and by a decreased disinhibition of eating and susceptibility to hunger (P = 0·0001). Plasma ghrelin increased (P = 0·016) by 27·2% from 100·39 ± 12·90 to 127·22 ± 13·15 fmol mL−1. The change in plasma ghrelin correlated with changes in body weight (r = −0·49, P = 0·02), BMI (r = −0·42, P = 0.048) and fat mass (r = −0·519, P = 0·013), but not with changes of fat-free mass and of the three dimensions of eating behaviour. Conclusion  Weight loss following LAGB leads to an increase in fasting plasma ghrelin and is accompanied by a decrease in hunger, disinhibition of eating and an increase in cognitive restraint. Thus, changes in eating behaviour, which promote reduction of food intake and not fasting ghrelin, determines weight loss achieved by LAGB.