Onur AĞ, Nizamettin KUTLUER, Mehmet Zeki ÖĞÜT, Ayşe Azak BOZAN, Akan YENİÇERİOĞLU, Hakan AYYILDIZ, Mehmet Buğra BOZAN
Laparoscopic Endoscopic Surgical Science - 2026;33(1):45-51
Introduction: The primary objective of this study was to examine changes in serum adipokine Isthmin levels before and after surgery following weight loss, to determine its potential as a biomarker in this patient population, and to evaluate the relationship between reduced adipose tissue and adipokines after obesity surgery. Materials and Methods: Preoperative complete blood count (CBC) and biochemical values, as well as postoperative third-month CBC and biochemical values, were recorded through a prospective chart review. Preoperative and postoperative height and weight measurements were obtained, and body mass index (BMI), excess weight loss, and total weight loss were calculated. Subsequently, a 5 mL blood sample was collected at presentation for measurement of serum Isthmin levels (BD Vacutainer, Plymouth, UK). The samples were centrifuged at 3500-4000 rpm for 10 min, transferred into Eppendorf tubes, and stored at -20 dereceC until analysis. Preoperative and third-month postoperative serum Isthmin levels were then measured and recorded. Results: No statistically significant difference was observed between preoperative and postoperative serum Isthmin levels. However, statistically significant differences were observed in body weight and BMI values (p=0.138, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). When stratified by BMI groups, no statistically significant difference was observed in the change in Isthmin levels between the preoperative and postoperative periods. Conclusions: Although a correlation between Isthmin, an adipokine, and weight loss was hypothesized, no statistically significant difference was found. Longer-term studies are required before adipokines can be used as reliable biomarkers. Isthmin appears to have a weaker relationship with adipose tissue and weight loss and may not be directly associated with obesity; however, these novel molecules are still considered to hold potential for future biomarker development.
