Measuring the inflammatory response to bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery is one of the most powerful health interventions available. A range of established surgical options are available, however, rationale for selection of different procedure is not clear. This is partially due to the underlying physiology of the operative interventions being poorly understood. Reduction in caloric intake and an altered post-prandial gastro-intestinal hormonal response are considered responsible for rapid improvements in glycaemic control. This projects seeks to describe the differing early inflammatory response to bariatric procedures and better understand the effects of surgery. Patients undergoing different bariatric procedures will be recruited. Baseline data and co-morbidities will be recorded. Intra-operative details such as operative duration, estimated blood loss etc. will be recorded. Serum inflammatory markers will be assessed at the start of the operation and the end of the procedure. Visceral and subcutaneous adipose fat samples will be collected and analysed for RNA expression of inflammatory markers. Serum will then be collected daily for seven days to record the inflammatory response and finally at three months post-operatively. These outcomes will be correlated to changes in gastro-intestinal hormones (PYY, Ghrelin etc.) that are considered essential to generating satiety and restoring glucose homeostasis.