Bariatric surgery helps patients with severe obesity to lose weight, cures and prevents diseases linked to obesity and reduces the risk of death. Unfortunately, 1 in 5 patients do not respond well to surgery in terms of weight loss and health gains. Thus, maximising weight loss and health benefits after surgery is critical. This study aims to gain insight into the role that the appetite-stimulating hormone, ghrelin, plays in driving appetite and energy intake in patients with poor weight loss (≤ 20% total body weight) following bariatric surgery. This will guide future work to develop pharmacological treatments for obesity, both as standalone treatments and adjuncts to bariatric surgery. Participants will be invited to attend the Clinical Research Facility at University College London Hospital for a screening visit and six study visits. Active ghrelin levels will be reduced by inhibiting ghrelin-o-acyl-transferase (GOAT), the enzyme needed to generate active ghrelin (acyl ghrelin, AG). Participants will be randomised to receive GLWL-01 (GOAT inhibitor) 300mg BD or placebo for a 10 day study cycle. The effect of AG reduction on appetite and energy intake will be evaluated through both fixed-energy and ad libitum meal tests on day 7 and 10, respectively. Measures of body weight and composition, appetite and food cravings will be performed in addition to biochemical profiling of circulating gut hormone, adipokine and cytokine levels. Targeted physical examinations and assessment of adverse events will be performed. Safety monitoring calls will be conducted 2 and 7 days after the last dose. Following a 6-10 week washout period, participants will cross over to receive either placebo or GLWL-01 300mg BD and undergo a second study cycle, with all measures repeated.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
35
University College London
London, United Kingdom
Within-subject acute energy intake
Evaluate the effect of reduced circulating AG on within-subject acute energy intake assessed during an ad libitum meal.
Time frame: Final day of each study cycle, Day 10
Fasted appetite scores
in response to a fixed meal assessed using visual analogue scales (VAS).
Time frame: Day 7 of each study cycle
Area-under-the-curve for appetite scores
in response to a fixed meal assessed using visual analogue scales (VAS).
Time frame: Day 7 of each study cycle
Macronutrient selection
assessed using a 24-hour diet diary and food selection during the ad libitum meal.
Time frame: Daily during each study cycle
Subjective aspects of appetite
specifically hunger, fullness, pleasantness to eat and nausea. Assessed using VAS and food craving questionnaires.
Time frame: Final day of each study cycle, Day 10
24-hour energy intake
assessed using a 24-hour diet diary, completed daily during GLWL-01 and placebo study arms.
Time frame: Final day of each study cycle, Day 10
Gut hormones levels
Circulating levels of gut hormones in response to a fixed meal.
Time frame: Day 7 of each study cycle
Adipokine levels
Circulating levels of adipokines in response to a fixed meal
Time frame: Day 7 of each study cycle
Body weight
assessed using a bioelectrical impedance analyser (BIA).
Time frame: Final day of each study cycle, Day 10
Body composition
assessed using a bioelectrical impedance analyser (BIA).
Time frame: Final day of each study cycle, Day 10
Inflammatory markers and cytokines
Evaluate the effect of reduced circulating AG on circulating inflammatory markers and cytokines.
Time frame: Final day of each study cycle, Day 10
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