Obesity is a global and difficult problem. Diet-based weight loss strategies often fail to induce lasting results. Bariatric surgery in turn, is effective in leading to permanent weight loss. The effects of surgery are largely mediated by changed interactions between gut and other tissues. Previous research indicates that especially the function of adipose tissue mitochondria predicts weight loss success and bariatric surgery seems to improve tissue mitochondrial function. We try to find new treatment targets for obesity through increasing the mitochondrial and metabolic activity of the peripheral tissues. We compare patients from bariatric surgery and conservative weight loss by body composition, metabolism, insulin sensitivity, gut hormones and adipose- and muscle tissue mitochondrial capacity. Our study will suggest mechanisms how to mimic the beneficial metabolic changes observed after surgery and to develop molecules targeting mitochondrial function for permanent weight loss.

2021

2025