TOPLINE

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) led to significant changes in inflammatory markers and eating behaviors, as well as a reduced preference for snack foods. Postoperative changes in the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) were independently associated with a reduced preference for starchy foods, even after accounting for anthropometric changes.

METHODOLOGY

• Obesity is associated with low-grade inflammation that affects metabolism and eating behavior; however, the role of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 in postoperative behavioral changes isn’t completely understood.
• Researchers conducted a prospective cohort study evaluating the association between changes in inflammatory marker levels and shifts in eating behaviors and food preferences after LSG in 49 adults (mean age, 42.7 years; 38 women).
• Plasma concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in 39 participants with complete biochemical data.
• Eating behaviors (comprising the domains of cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating) and food preferences across six categories (starches, snacks, dairy, meat or fish, fruits, and vegetables) were measured using standard questionnaires.
• Participants were evaluated at baseline and at 3 and 12 months postoperatively for anthropometric parameters, cytokine concentrations, eating behaviors, and food preferences.

TAKEAWAY

• At 12 months, LSG led to a significant reduction from baseline in mean weight and in median IL-6 concentration (P < .001 for both); IL-10 concentrations also changed significantly (P < .001).
• Scores for the emotional eating and uncontrolled eating domains decreased significantly after surgery (P < .001 for both), whereas the score for the cognitive restraint of eating domain did not change significantly; snack food preference showed the most pronounced reduction (P < .001).
• Changes in IL-10 levels showed a strong negative correlation with changes in preference for starchy foods (correlation coefficient, -0.53; P < .001).
• After adjusting for waist circumference, age, and sex, changes in IL-10 levels remained an independent predictor of reduced starch preference (P = .003), whereas changes in anthropometric measures were not significant predictors.

IN PRACTICE

“Postoperative changes in eating behavior following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy co-occur with immunological adaptations, particularly changes in IL-10, independent of anthropometric changes,” the authors of the study wrote.

“These findings support the concept that bariatric surgery induces complex neuroimmune and metabolic interactions that extend beyond weight loss and may contribute to behavioral adaptation,” they added.

SOURCE

This study was led by Alina Jaroch, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland. It was published online in Obesity Surgery.

LIMITATIONS

The study included a relatively small sample size and predominantly female participants. Its observational design prevented the establishment of causal relationships. Additionally, cytokine analysis was limited to IL-6 and IL-10.

DISCLOSURES

This study received no external funding. The authors declared no competing interests.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.