Impact of gastric bypass surgery on body fat distribution in patients with metabolic syndrome

Objective To evaluate the changes in body fat distribution after gastric bypass in gastric cancer patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods From July 2009 to February 2010, 26 patients with gastric cancer and concurrent metabolic syndrome were prospectively enrolled and underwent gastric bypass surgery at the Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command.Body mass index (BMI),waist circumference,hip circumference,insulin and insulin resistance index were measured before operation and at postoperative 1,4,12,24,48 weeks. Results After gastric bypass surgery,metabolic syndrome was improved including obesity,hypertension,disturbance of lipid and hyperglycemia.After 48 weeks postoperatively HOMA-IR decreased from 5.7±1.5 to 3.4±1.0 (P＜0.05).BMI decreased from (27.1±3.8) kg/m2 to (22.6±1.4) kg/m2 (P＜0.05).Indices for central obesity:waist circumference decreased from (95.3±2.5)cm to (75.3±1.1)cm,and visceral fat area decreased from (101.7±13.8) cm2 to (78.7±11.2) cm2 (P＜0.05).There were no decline in peripheral obesity indices including hip circumference and subcutaneous fat area(P＞0.05 ).Conclusions The distribution of body fat after gastric bypass changes from central obesity to peripheral obesity.Improvement of insulin resistance after gastric bypass surgery is associated with the decrease in central obesity indices. Key words: Metabolic syndrome;  Gastric bypass;  Body fat;  Insulin resistance