Metabolic revitalization: exploring erythrocyte fatty acid profile following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

INTRODUCTION Obesity is linked to metabolic disorders. Bariatric surgery offers a promising therapeutic effect in the treatment of obesity, but its impact on fatty acid (FA) profiles within erythrocytes and the associated clinical implications remain underexplored. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to assess changes in erythrocyte membrane FA composition after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and to correlate these alterations with clinical parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 61 patients with morbid obesity undergoing LSG and 32 healthy controls were enrolled. Erythrocyte membrane FA composition was analyzed using gas chromatography. Clinical parameters, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and multiple biochemical markers, were evaluated. In the surgical patients, the dynamics of metabolism post-LSG was assessed by exploring the ratios of erythrocyte FA concentrations at baseline and 6 months postsurgery, with the corresponding ratios calculated for clinical parameters. RESULTS Bariatric intervention resulted in reduction of median BMI (41.1 to 32 kg/m2) and median fat mass (54.1 to 35.2 kg). Other anthropometric parameters also improved significantly. Favorable changes in FA metabolism post-LSG, potentially leading to a reduction in cardiovascular disease risk, were observed. The OMEGA-3 Index (median, 1.8 vs 3) and the eicosapentaenoic /arachidonic FA ratio (median, 0.1 vs 0.2) increased after surgery. Linoleic acid (LA) was shown to be significantly associated with markers of obesity. The LA ratios increased along with the reduction of BMI (r = -0.32), fat mass (r = -0.39), and waist circumference (r = -0.33) proportions. A positive correlation was noted between LA concentration and excess weight loss percentage (r = 0.49), and excess BMI loss percentage (r = 0.5). CONCLUSIONS The study underscores distinct post-LSG changes in erythrocyte FA profiles, potentially associated with reduced weight and BMI, improved inflammatory status, and lower cardiovascular disease risk.