Obesity-related cardiovascular risk and bariatric surgery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Obesity-related cardiovascular risk and the effect of bariatric surgery-induced weight loss: A mechanistic study investigating the role of hormones, lipoproteins, vascular endothelial factors and small nerve fibre integrity.
IRAS ID
220085
Contact name
Handrean Soran
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Manchester University Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
7 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Obesity, through accumulation of central and abdominal fat, leads to a state of low grade inflammation. It is thought to result in change within blood vessels and atherosclerosis, ultimately leading to cardiovascular disease. A number of other factors linking obesity and cardiovascular disease have also been proposed and these include changes in blood vessel function, nerve integrity and function, and hormone status.
Bariatric surgery leads to marked improvement in weight and improved cardiovascular risk profile and outcomes. It therefore provides a platform for studying the potential underlying mechanisms driving the improvements in cardiovascular health. The ultimate aim is to help develop therapeutic targets through improved understanding of the underlying disease process and its potential for reversal.
This study will assess whether inflammation within blood vessels improves after bariatric surgery and whether this has a functional impact on blood vessel function. Blood vessel wall inflammation will be assessed using nuclear medicine imaging technique (FDG-PET-CT) and small blood vessel function using myography in the laboratory. The impact of bariatric surgery on the other factors linking obesity and cardiovascular disease such as nerve function, hormone status and cholesterol profile will also be assessed within this study.
In view of increasing evidence supporting the link between obesity, sexual health and cardiovascular disease, this study will also assess changes in sexual function using validated questionnaires and explore the use sexual function scores as a marker of cardiovascular risk.
Patients undergoing bariatric surgery at NHS and private hospitals who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be invited to take part in this study. Participants will be assessed before and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. The study will take part at the Manchester Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility and the Nuclear Medicine Department at Central Manchester University Hospital.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0357
Date of REC Opinion
2 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion