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Background Our aim was to investigate the regulation of the gene expression of leptin in subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies in morbid obesity before and after biliopancreatic diversion (BPD). Methods Longitudinal study in morbidly obese subjects investigated twice: before and 6 months after BPD. Fourteen morbidly obese women, 37±13 years old and with a body mass index of 51.6±8.2 kg/m2, were studied before and 6 months after BPD (40.6±8.0 kg/m2). Using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis, the mRNA expression of leptin was investigated in adipose tissue. Plasma leptin was measured by radioimmunoassay; plasma insulin was measured by microparticle enzyme immunoassay. Free fatty acids (FFA) were measured using a colorimetric kit. Results A significant decrease in leptin mRNA level was observed in comparison with pretreatment in BPD patients (59±34 vs 143±85 arbitrary units, P 2=0.80, P 2=0.86, P 2=0.65, P 2=0.92, P 2=0.64, P 2=0.88, P 2=0.83, P Conclusion These data demonstrate a high correlation between leptin mRNA expression in adipose tissue and plasma leptin in postobese subjects after BPD. The significant relationship between both leptin mRNA and plasma leptin with insulin suggests that circulating insulin might regulate leptin expression. It might be hypothesized that plasma FFA concentration can act on the insulin secretion and subsequently on the leptin secretory pathway.

A randomized, controlled, single blind study was carried out to compare the efficacy and safety of oxatomide and disodium chromoglycate in the treatment of adverse reactions to food. Twenty-three patients (16F and 7M) with urticaria (16 patients), respiratory (5 patients), intestinal (15 patients) and/or neurological symptoms (3 patients) were treated for 60 days: 14 (9F and 5M; mean ± SD age 36.3 ± 13.8 years) with oxatomide, 60 mg every evening and 9 (7F and 2M; 31.5 ± 15.1 years) with disodium chromoglycate, 500 mg three times a day. Both therapies lasted two months. On admission and after 15,30 and 60 days skin (wheals, itching, vesicular blisters, scratching lesions), respiratory (rhinorrhea, sneezing, coughing, wheezing), intestinal (constipation, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain and/or cramps) and neurological (headache, irritability) symptoms were assessed. Wheals decreased in number and size in both groups (p Both treatments were effective as regards cutaneous, intestinal and respiratory symptoms, with a significant reduction of itching, wheals and vesicular blisters and the complete relies of intestinal disorders. The drugs were well tolerated.