Effect of weight loss through laparoscopic gastric banding on blood pressure, plasma renin activity and aldosterone levels in morbid obesity

Abstract Background and aims Several mechanisms are probably involved in obesity-related hypertension. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of significant weight loss on blood pressure and plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone levels, other then on metabolic profile, in normotensive and hypertensive obese subjects. Methods and results Forty hypertensive and 55 normotensive obese subjects were studied under basal conditions and again 1 year after significant weight loss obtained through laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). Weight, waist circumference, blood glucose, insulin, electrolytes (Na and K), lipids and supine and upright PRA and aldosterone were evaluated. All parameters evaluated improved, except for total cholesterol, and electrolytes that did not change. Blood pressure decreased in hypertensive subjects, with a concordant decrease in PRA and supine aldosterone levels, not observed in normotensive patients. Conclusion Weight loss is associated with reduction of blood pressure and of PRA and aldosterone levels in obese hypertensive subjects.