The Bariatric Phenotype
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Bariatric Phenotype: Evaluation of novel bariatric biomarkers in relation to health and surgical outcomes (The BP Study)
IRAS ID
326187
Contact name
Rachel Churm
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Swansea University
Duration of Study in the UK
9 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Obesity is the fifth highest cause of death in the world and is frequently linked to other serious health complications such as diabetes and heart disease. Therefore, treating obesity places a significant strain on the NHS. Weight loss surgery is a common tool used to help treat individuals who are obese to enable them achieve and maintain weight loss. Although great results are seen after weight loss surgery, in some cases they are not long-term and problems can re-occur. An individuals response to surgery and their risk of obesity can be linked to various factors. One of which is the composition of bacteria within the gut.
Before individuals undergo weight loss surgery they are required to go on a low calorie diet to remove some fat from the liver. These types of diets can be seen to cause a change in the gut bacteria profile in other individuals and let is known the effect it could have on those undergoing weight loss surgery.
This study aims to collect pre and post liver diet stool samples to establish if low calorie diet can impact the gut bacteria in individuals undergoing weight loss surgery. In addition, follow up post operative stool and blood samples to evaluate if induced gut microbial changes could produce a beneficial surgical outcome.
Secondary, to enable further understanding of the relationship between obesity and gut bacteria we will also collect the resected stomach tissue to establish gut bacteria population of the fundus in relation to health markers.REC name
London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/PR/1055
Date of REC Opinion
18 Oct 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion