Clinical Research Studies

Site for Obesity (BMI>30) is often associated with type-2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome (1). The gain in body weight is mainly due to increase in adipose tissue mass. Adipose tissue being 1/6th of the body weight and by virtue of its property to secret more than 600 proteins play an important role in whole body energy metabolism (2-4). Bariatric surgery is one of the most effective and durable means for weight loss. It is at least intuitive, that weight loss may lead to adipose tissue mass reduction. However, how weight loss affects changes in adipocyte cell size (hypertrophy) and cell number (hyperplasia) is unknown. Similarly, we are uncertain if bariatric surgery influences adipocyte cell function and its insulin sensitivity. Often adipocyte signaling proteins have been associated with metabolic derangements at the clinical level (5). Since bariatric surgery is associated with metabolic improvements, it is unclear if the surgery induces alterations in adipocyte function or simply reverses underlying pathophysiology. The purpose of this pilot study is to collect descriptive data on adipose tissue functions and insulin sensitivity that can be used to power larger studies in the future.