Angaben zum Forschungsvorhaben (englisch) Dr. med. Florian

Angaben zum Forschungsvorhaben (englisch)
Dr. med. Florian Seyfried
Details on the planned research
a. Topic
The role of gut hormones and metabolic active brown adipose tissue on energy
expenditure after obesity surgery
b. Summary
The current obesity endemic has a significant human cost with regards to morbidity
and mortality. Conservative options such as medical and dietary interventions have
thus far proved disappointing. Bariatric surgery i.e. Roux-en-y gastric bypass RYGB)
is currently the most effective weight loss modality for treating morbid obesity, as
well as obesity-related comorbidity. The effects of bariatric surgery cannot only be
explained by restriction and malabsorption. One of the proposed mechanisms is an
increased level of gastrointestinal hormones that stimulate anorectic pathways in the
hypothalamus and brainstem, which also influence energy expenditure.
Preliminary data have shown an increased energy expenditure and thermogenesis
after gastric bypass. Altered levels of incretines may influence energy expenditure
directly or indirectly by activation of the sympathetic nervous system. It is known that
such chronic activation leads to induction and hyperplasia of brown adipose tissue
(BAT), which was recently shown to exist in a significant amount even in adults.
Specific proteins (UCP-1) induce thermogenesis and thereby increase the turnover
of energy. The impact of metabolic active BAT on obesity is underlined by the fact,
that the polymorphisms of UCP-1 in humans are associated with fat metabolism,
obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, it can be hypothesized that BAT
might be a potentially relevant target to combat obesity. Based on this the present
study aims to investigate the effects of gastric bypass on energy expenditure, the
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Angaben zum Forschungsvorhaben (englisch)
Dr. med. Florian Seyfried
role of gut hormones and brown adipose tissue in modulating energy expenditure
after obesity surgery in rodent models. The understanding of the mechanisms
underlying weight loss after gastric bypass surgery will help to improve conservative
therapeutic strategies or patient-tailored surgical approaches.
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