Heat Shock Protein 60 in Obesity: Effect of Bariatric Surgery and its Relation to Inflammation and Cardiovascular Risk.

OBJECTIVE: Heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) is an adipokine, and its serum concentrations are higher in patients with obesity compared to lean patients. This study aimed to analyze the effect of bariatric surgery on circulating concentrations of Hsp60 in morbid obesity and their correlation with inflammation and metabolic and cardiovascular risk.

METHODS: Fifty-three females with morbid obesity undergoing bariatric surgery were enrolled. Serum parameters and anthropometric measures were obtained at baseline and 3 to 12 months post surgery.

RESULTS: During the 12-month observation period, Hsp60 decreased significantly from 31.6 ± 4.7 ng/mL at baseline to 22.3 ± 3.0 ng/mL (3 months), 26.5 ± 5.5 (6 months), and 21.1 ± 3.3 ng/mL (12 months). Preoperatively, Hsp60 concentrations correlated positively with total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and negatively with adiponectin. At the end of the observation period, serum Hsp60 positively correlated with triglycerides, ApoB, HbA1c , and C-reactive protein (CRP). Patients in the highest quartile of serum Hsp60 were characterized by significantly elevated CRP and interleukin 6 independently of BMI, glycemia, and insulinemia. At baseline and 12 months after surgery, Hsp60 positively correlated with the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio and the cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio.

CONCLUSIONS: Hsp60 concentrations are elevated in morbid obesity and decreased after surgery-induced weight loss. Their correlation with inflammatory markers and cardiovascular risk might link obesity and cardiovascular disease.