Pentraxin 3 and Platelet Activation in Obese Patients After Gastric Banding

Background: Circulating pentraxin 3 (PTX3), the main regulator of the inflammatory response, rapidly increases following cardiovascular events, and low PTX3 is associated with high body mass index. Methods and Results: We conducted a 12-month longitudinal study, to test the hypothesis that laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB)-induced weight loss was associated with changes in platelet activation markers and PTX3. Twelve obese patients, scheduled to undergo LAGB, were enrolled at the University Obesity Center. Urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane (Tx)B-2 excretion rate was measured on radioimmunoassay, and PTX3 and CD40L were determined on immunoassay. Plasma PTX3 increased by 178.8 and 214.9% (P<0.0001), respectively, 6 and 12 months after LAGB. High-sensitivity CRP decreased by 24 and 29.7% (P<0.0001), whereas CD40L decreased by 64.3 and 58.6% (P=0.002), respectively. Urinary 11-dehydro-TxB(2) decreased from 1,443 to 715 and 564 pg/mg creatinine, respectively 6 months and 12 months after LAGB (P<0.0001). PTX3 was inversely related to platelet activation markers, 11-dehydro-TxB(2) and CD40L. Moreover, multiple regression analysis on pooled data showed that plasma PTX3 was an independent predictor of urinary 11-dehydro-TxB(2). Conclusions: There is an association between inflammation, platelet activation and metabolic dysfunction in obesity, and PTX3 is a key player within these circuits.