INTRODUCTION. The global epidemic of cardiovascular disease is closely associated with an increased prevalence of insulin resistance syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus due to excess body weight and sedentary lifestyles. At present, bariatric surgery is the most effective method to achieve major goal in obesity treatment, long-term weight loss, but may also have influence on vitamin D peripheral blood concentration. It was documented that postsurgical weight loss improved almost all obesity-related comorbidities. The aim of the study was to evaluate vitamin D, osteocalcin, calcium and phosphorus concentrations in peripheral blood of the obese patients before and after restrictive method of bariatric surgery —vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG).

MATERIAL AND METHODS. The study comprised 12 female and 2 males patients aged 39 to 59 years (46.6 ± 7.4) with simpleobesity (body mass index [BMI]: 44.6 ± 6.5) and the presence of metabolic syndrome, both before and 3, 6, 12, 24 months after bariatric surgery (eight patients were also examined after 36 and four after 48 months). The measurements of vitamin D (total) peripheral blood concentration by ELISA and osteocalcin by chemiluminescent method have been performed.

RESULTS. Before surgery all patients had lower than normal levels of vitamin D. After surgical treatment the values of body weight and BMI gradually decreased, but the blood levels of vitamin D did not changed. We noted elevated concentrations of osteocalcin and phosphorus in peripheral blood after surgery. No correlations between body weight, BMI and other studied biochemical parameters before and after treatments were observed.

CONCLUSION. The fast decrease of body weight in morbidly obese patients treated by restrictive bariatric surgery (VBG) did not lead to significant increase in vitamin D concentrations in peripheral blood circulation, which remained very low for many years. Obese patients need supplementation of vitamin D before and after bariatric surgery.