The Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Adipocyte Metabolism

The purpose of this study is to understand how daily rhythms of behavior affect the expression of genes in fat cells, and how these daily cycles affect the way fat cells respond to insulin (a hormone that controls blood sugar levels) before and after bariatric surgery.

Completed

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Key information

Conditions

Metabolic Syndrome Body Weight Glucose Metabolism Disorders Hyperinsulinism Insulin Resistance Metabolic Diseases Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–55 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States

About this study

Bariatric surgery as a means of weight loss has become increasingly popular over the last 10-15 years. In addition to promoting weight loss, bariatric surgery has become increasingly recognized for use in the management of diabetes. Recent studies have indicated that bariatric surgery can result in a marked improvement in insulin sensitivity before long term weight loss is attained. The goal of this project is to delineate the changes in the insulin responsiveness of subcutaneous adipocytes obtained by needle biopsy 2 weeks prior to surgery vs. 12 weeks after bariatric surgery, which could account for improvements in overall insulin sensitivity seen before any long-term sustained weight loss has occurred. The investigators will also examine gene expression in adipocytes (fat cells).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Obese Subjects

Inclusion criteria

18-55 years old
Female
BMI greater than 40 kg/m2
Scheduled for bariatric surgery at the Center for the Surgical Treatment of Obesity at the University of Chicago
Signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Male
Diagnosed with a systemic illnesses, including heart, renal, liver, or malignant disease
Uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg systolic and 90 mmHg diastolic without medication)
use of beta blockers
hemoglobin less than 11.5g/dL
known allergy to lidocaine
pregnancy
lactation
Subjects will not have undergone surgery, donated a unit of blood, or participated in another clinical study within the last 4 weeks prior to consent.
Post-menopausal

Non-Obese Subjects

Inclusion criteria

18-55 years old
Female
BMI less than 30 kg/m2
Signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Male
Diagnosed with a systemic illnesses, including heart, renal, liver, or malignant disease
Uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg systolic and 90 mmHg diastolic without medication)
use of beta blockers
hemoglobin less than 11.5g/dL
known allergy to lidocaine
pregnancy
lactation
Subjects will not have undergone surgery, donated a unit of blood, or participated in another clinical study within the last 4 weeks prior to consent.
Post-menopausal

Treatment and study plan

Circadian Clock Alignment

Behavioral

Use timed lights and meals to align the circadian clock

Circadian Clock Control

Behavioral

No circadian clock alignment

Primary outcomes

Change in insulin sensitivity

Time frame: 12 weeks

Insulin sensitivity will be measured as the by the phosphorylation level of Akt in adipocytes (fat cells) at baseline and 12 weeks post bariatric surgery

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Chicago

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2015
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Jan 27, 2020
Registry last updated: Feb 13, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed