High plasma renin activity associates with obesity-related diabetes and arterial hypertension, and predicts persistent hypertension after bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND: Information about the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) in obese individuals before and after bariatric surgery is scarce. Aim of this study was to analyze the RAAS in severely obese subjects, in relation to anthropometric and metabolic variables, with special reference to glucose tolerance. METHODS: 239 subjects were evaluated at baseline, and 181 one year after bariatric surgery [laparoscopic gastric banding (LAGB)]. RESULTS: At baseline, renin (plasma renin activity, PRA) was increased from normal to glucose tolerance and more in diabetes, also correlating with ferritin. After LAGB, the decrease of PRA and aldosterone was significant in hypertensive, but not in normotensive subjects, and correlatied with decrease of ferritin. PRA and glucose levels were predictive of persistent hypertension 1 year after LAGB. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the role of RAAS in the pathophysiology of glucose homeostasis, and in the regulation of blood pressure in obesity. Ferritin, as a proxy of subclinical inflammation, could be another factor contributing to the cross-talk between RAAS and glucose metabolism.