Lipoprotein Lipase but Not Hormone-Sensitive Lipase Activities Achieve Normality After Surgically Induced Weight Loss in Morbidly Obese Patients

Background Although bariatric surgery is currently the most common practice for inducing weight loss in morbidly obese patients (BMI > 40 kg/m 2 ), its effect on the lipid content of adipose tissue and its lipases (lipoprotein lipase [LPL] and hormone-sensitive lipase [HSL]) are controversial. Methods We analyzed LPL and HSL activities and lipid content from plasma as well as subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) adipose tissue of 34 morbidly obese patients (MO) before and after (6 and 12 months) Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and compare the values with those of normal weight (control) patients. Results LPL activity was significantly higher in MO (SAT = 32.9 ± 1.0 vs VAT = 36.4 ± 3.3 mU/g tissue; p