Actively Recruiting
The Metabolic and Genetic Drivers of Body Composition Changes Following Weight Loss Surgery A Pilot Study at The University of Texas Medical Branch
Led by The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston · Updated on 2026-05-22
110
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
25 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research investigates factors that affect the success of weight loss surgery and its impact on muscle mass. It focuses on understanding behavioral, biological, and genetic influences in patients undergoing bariatric surgery, as well as comparing these patients with healthy individuals. The study aims to explore how muscle loss, strength changes, and weight regain influence quality of life and physical activity after surgery. Participants include patients scheduled for sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass surgery, and healthy volunteers with a normal weight range. Bariatric surgery patients are monitored before and for one year after surgery, with some undergoing detailed metabolic assessments measuring nutrient use, body composition, gut bacteria, and physical performance. Healthy volunteers undergo a single metabolic assessment for comparison but do not have gut bacteria or tissue sampled. During the study, participants will provide data on eating habits, hand grip strength, body weight, and composition at multiple time points. Researchers will measure whole-body protein turnover, gene activity in gut tissue collected before surgery, and physical activity levels. Assessments include physical performance tests and monitoring of energy intake and expenditure. The total participation lasts up to one year post-surgery, with repeated evaluations to track changes over time.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
The Metabolic and Genetic Drivers of Body Composition Changes Following Weight Loss Surgery
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Healthy volunteers aged 30 to 50 years with a BMI between 20 and 25
- Bariatric surgery patients aged 18 to 65 years with a BMI between 35 and 50
- Scheduled for bariatric surgery at UTMB (patients)
- Ability to speak and read English
- Provided informed consent and willing to comply with study procedures
- For enhanced metabolic assessment: patients aged 30 to 50 undergoing gastric bypass surgery
You will not qualify if you...
- Heart, vascular, or lung disease (healthy volunteers)
- Uncontrolled blood pressure (systolic >170, diastolic >95 mmHg) (healthy volunteers)
- Impaired kidney function (creatinine >1.5 mg/dl) (healthy volunteers)
- Anemia (hematocrit <33%) or recent blood donation in past 12 weeks
- Diabetes or other untreated endocrine/metabolic disorders (healthy volunteers)
- Recent cancer history within 5 years
- Use of systemic steroids, anabolic steroids, growth hormone, or immunosuppressants within 6 months
- Recent significant weight change from diet in past 6 months (healthy volunteers)
- BMI outside specified ranges per group
- Acute or chronic infections
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Recent protein-based supplement use (healthy volunteers)
- Medical conditions increasing study risk
- Allergic reactions to study agents
- Unable to lie still supine for 10 minutes (enhanced assessment patients)
- Psychiatric conditions or prior non-compliance affecting study participation
- Concurrent participation in other studies
- Use of investigational agents within 30 days prior to consent
- Previous bariatric surgery or non-gastric bypass procedures (enhanced assessment patients)
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Baseline
Participants undergo baseline assessments including metabolic measurements and tissue collection during routine pre-operative procedures.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 year
Participants are followed up with repeat metabolic and body composition assessments over a 1 year period after surgery or enrollment.
3 visits (in-person) over 1 year
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
The University of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston, Texas, United States, 77555
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
E
Emily J Lantz, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
2
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