Role of Hunger Hormone “Ghrelin” in Long-Term Weight Loss Following Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become a popular weight loss technique in morbidly obese patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the changes in plasma ghrelin levels in relation to weight loss following LSG and to study the efficacy of LSG in terms of long-term glycemic control and resolution of diabetes. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted on 70 morbidly obese patients (body mass index [BMI] >40 kg/m(2)) or severely obese patients (BMI >35 kg/m(2)) with comorbidities who underwent LSG in Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, India. Ghrelin levels were measured preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months along with measurements of various weight loss parameters and glycosylated hemoglobin. RESULTS: A significant decrease in plasma ghrelin levels was observed in relation to the mean weight and percentage excess weight loss at 3 months postoperatively. However, at 6 months, fall in ghrelin reached a plateau phase while weight loss was still sustained and significant. There was a significant fall in glycosylated hemoglobin levels with patients achieving good control/resolution of diabetes Type II. CONCLUSION: LSG is an effective weight loss surgery and brings about excellent weight loss in morbidly obese individuals in addition to achievement of good glycemic control in diabetic individuals. Serum levels of ghrelin fall significantly after sleeve gastrectomy. However, long term implications of ghrelin induced weight loss cannot be elucidated.