title: Serum beta-endorphin levels in morbidly obese patients: the effect of vertical banded gastroplasty.
abstract: The associations between serum beta-endorphin levels and clinical and metabolic variables as well as beta-endorphin changes after surgically induced weight loss were investigated in 43 morbidly obese patients. A significant positive correlation between beta-endorphin and body weight, degree of body weight increase and ACTH was found preoperatively. Only body weight was independently associated with beta-endorphin levels. Twelve months following vertical banded gastroplasty, there was an extensive weight loss in all patients and improvement in their metabolic profile. A significant reduction in beta-endorphin levels which was proportional to the extent of weight loss was also observed.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Surgery, University of Athens, Laikon Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Karayiannakis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zbar
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Makri
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Syrigos
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Athanasiadis
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alexiou
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Bastounis
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D015431:Weight Loss; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone