RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have found that people with apple (android)-shaped body fat distribution are at risk of developing cardiovascular disease, impaired glucose tolerance and hypertension. METHODS: To investigate the effects of lipectomy, we measured lipid and lipoprotein levels, indices associated with glucose tolerance and blood-pressure. The tests were performed pre-operatively and 3 and 12 months post-operatively in 34 subjects (obese lipectomy patients with android-shaped body fat distribution) and 23 controls (obese breast reduction patients). RESULTS: In subjects, total cholesterol, LDL and blood pressure were significantly lower at 3 months follow-up, but returned to pre-operative levels at 12 months follow-up. Plasma insulin decreased significantly at 3 months follow-up, and continued to decrease at 12 months follow-up. Triglycerides, HDL, fasting blood sugar, glycosylated hemoglobin and C-peptide did not change at 3 and 12 months follow-up. There were no changes in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Lipectomy in patients with truncal obesity may reduce plasma insulin levels, but had no lasting effect on plasma lipids.
