The goal of this cross-sectional observational study is to examine potential relationships between the blood and gut microbiota of patients with obesity before and after weight loss surgery (WLS) and evaluate potential ethnic differences in the blood and gut microbiotas before and after the WLS. The main aims / objectives of this sub-study are: * Aim 1. Compare the relationship between the blood and the gut microbiomes among a sample of (1) pre-WLS and (2) 6-month post-WLS participants. Hypothesis: Blood bacterial composition will resemble that of the gut microbiome among pre-WLS participants. Because the effect of WLS on the blood microbiome is not known, our post-WLS results will be mostly exploratory. * Aim 2. Determine racial differences in the blood microbiome of the pre- and post-WLS groups. Hypothesis2: Ethnic differences will be detected in both the pre- and post-WLS groups.
A subgroup of participants from the main study will be invited to participate in a cross-sectional sub study evaluating the relationship between blood and gut microbiotas. A total of 100 participants will be recruited, 50 participants will be recruited from the "non-completers" and the other 50 participants will be recruited from the "6 months post-WLS" follow-up group of our main project.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
24
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas, United States
Gut Microbial Composition
Gut microbial composition will be measured by performing whole metagenome sequencing in samples previously stored in Zymo stool collection tubes.
Time frame: Stool samples will be collected at one time point only, within a week to their in person appointment.
Blood Microbial Composition
Blood microbial composition will be measured by performing 16S rRNA (ribosomal ribonucleic acid) in blood samples previously stored in Zymo blood collection tubes.
Time frame: Blood samples will be collected in fasting conditions at the Baseline visit.
Body Weight (kg)
Body weight will be measured with a calibrated SECA scale.
Time frame: Baseline
Body Height (meters)
Body height will be measured with a stadiometer.
Time frame: Baseline
Fat Mass (Kg)
Body fat mass will be measured by using the SECA mBCA 515.
Time frame: Baseline
Fat-free Mass (Kg)
Fat-free mass will be measured by using the SECA mBCA 515.
Time frame: Baseline
Body water (%)
Body water percentage will be measured by using the SECA mBCA 515.
Time frame: Baseline
Skeletal Muscle Mass (kg)
Skeletal muscle mass will be measured by using the SECA mBCA 515.
Time frame: Baseline
Fasting Glucose (mg/dL)
Fasting glucose will be measured after a 12h fast.
Time frame: Baseline
Fasting Insulin (mIU/L)
Fasting insulin will be measured after a 12h fast.
Time frame: Baseline
Lipopolysaccharides (%)
Lipopolysaccharides will be measured after a 12h fast.
Time frame: Baseline
Lipopolysaccharides binding protein (mIU/L)
Lipopolysaccharides binding protein will be measured after a 12h fast.
Time frame: Baseline
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