It is estimated that 34% of adults in the United States are overweight and an additional 32% have obesity. Behavioral and pharmacologic treatments for obesity targeting specific pathways have met with limited long- term success. In contrast, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) provides effective and durable weight loss. The mechanisms underlying the dramatic clinical response of this procedure are not well understood, but emerging evidence indicates that the observed response is due to altered neuronal and hormonal regulation of energy intake, energy expenditure, metabolic efficiency, and hedonic pathways, rather than to the mechanical effects of surgery. These observations implicate a strong biological, and possibly genetic, contribution to weight loss after surgery. Identification of factors associated with weight loss after RYGB could help provide insight into the mechanisms of action of weight loss after this procedure. Clinical factors associated with weight loss after RYGB have been identified;however, these factors have only been able to explain a fraction of the total variation in the resulting weight loss. We recently conducted an analysis that suggests that genetic factors could explain a large percentage of the remaining variability. The overall goal of this research proposal is to determine the specific genetic factors involved and to identify a combination of genetic, clinical, and circulating biomarker factors that reproducibly predict weight loss after RYGB. We hypothesize that there are reproducible genetic and clinical predictors of weight loss after RYGB, and propose to test this hypothesis through two Specific Aims. The first Specific Aim is to [identify genetic associations through an analysis of genotyped and imputed genetic loci,] and to then replicate these findings, using two additional cohorts totaling 1472 RYGB patients. The second Specific Aim is to identify multivariable-adjusted genetic, clinical, and circulating biomarker factors that reproducibly predict weight loss after RYGB. We will first identify predictors that pass an initial univariate screen of p <0.10 for clinical predictors and p <5.0*10-5 for genetic predictors in 1172 RYGB patients;potential predictors that reach these criteria will be entered into a stepwise selection procedure to identify significant multivariable-adjusted predictors (p<0.05). Because we are testing a large number of candidate predictors, we will then replicate these results in two new cohorts totaling more than 2000 additional patients using a two-stage approach. First, we will re-analyze the candidate predictors using a stepwise selection procedure in 1100 new RYGB patients. Second, we will test the model derived in this first stage as a whole in two new cohorts totaling approximately 900 RYGB patients. Identification of a reliable set of genetic and clinical predictors could provide important clues to the mechanism of action of this therapy. In addition, these predictors could be used to develop clinical tools to identify those patients who will likely benefit most from surgery, thus further improving the risk:benefit profile for this highly effective yet invasive treatment.

Public Health Relevance

The aim of this proposal is to identify factors that reproducibly predict weight loss after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The identification of predictors of weight loss after RYGB could help elucidate mechanisms of regulation of energy balance and metabolic function that extend beyond surgical populations. In addition, identification of predictors of weight loss after RYGB could be used to identify those patients who will likely benefit most from surgery, thereby improving the risk:benefit profile for this highly effective yet invasive treatment.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32DK093257-03
Application #
8538961
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDK1-GRB-2 (O1))
Program Officer
Podskalny, Judith M,
Project Start
2011-09-16
Project End
2014-09-15
Budget Start
2013-09-16
Budget End
2014-09-15
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$59,915
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts General Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
073130411
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02199
Hatoum, Ida J; Blackstone, Robin; Hunter, Tina D et al. (2016) Clinical Factors Associated With Remission of Obesity-Related Comorbidities After Bariatric Surgery. JAMA Surg 151:130-7
Hatoum, Ida J; Greenawalt, Danielle M; Cotsapas, Chris et al. (2013) Weight loss after gastric bypass is associated with a variant at 15q26.1. Am J Hum Genet 92:827-34
Hatoum, Ida J; Kaplan, Lee M (2013) Advantages of percent weight loss as a method of reporting weight loss after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Obesity (Silver Spring) 21:1519-25
Hatoum, Ida J; Stylopoulos, Nicholas; Vanhoose, Amanda M et al. (2012) Melanocortin-4 receptor signaling is required for weight loss after gastric bypass surgery. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 97:E1023-31
Hatoum, Ida J; Greenawalt, Danielle M; Cotsapas, Chris et al. (2011) Heritability of the weight loss response to gastric bypass surgery. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 96:E1630-3
Greenawalt, Danielle M; Dobrin, Radu; Chudin, Eugene et al. (2011) A survey of the genetics of stomach, liver, and adipose gene expression from a morbidly obese cohort. Genome Res 21:1008-16