Understanding how gut cells change after bariatric surgery
Official title: The role of enteroendocrine cell differentiation in the success of bariatric surgery
Funded at University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr · NIH-10909971 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how weight loss surgery, called vertical sleeve gastrectomy, changes certain gut cells that help control weight and blood sugar, with the hope of finding new, non-surgical treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes that could help patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $134,025 |
| NIH project number | 5K01DK129367-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10909971 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are struggling with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not overweight or do not have type 2 diabetes may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how bariatric surgery, specifically vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), leads to changes in gut cells that produce hormones important for weight loss and blood sugar control. The study aims to understand the mechanisms behind the increase in these hormone-secreting cells after surgery, which could help replicate the benefits of surgery through non-invasive treatments. By examining the differentiation of enteroendocrine cells and their role in hormone secretion, the research seeks to uncover potential new therapies for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to improved treatment options without the need for surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to non-invasive treatments that mimic the weight loss and diabetes remission effects of bariatric surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding gut hormone mechanisms, suggesting that this approach could lead to significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Ki Suk — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Kim, Ki Suk
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How bariatric surgery helps the liver heal by immune cells
This grant explores how weight-loss surgery may protect the liver from fatty inflammation by changing liver immune cells.
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Metabolic gut-macteria pathways after bariatric surgery
This grant explores how bariatric surgery changes gut microbes and their chemicals to improve glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
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Comparing medicines and weight-loss surgery for liver disease linked to metabolic problems
This program looks at how two drugs and bariatric surgery work for adults with metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and liver fibrosis.
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Decoding how bariatric surgery changes brain signals to help weight loss
A research project looks at how weight-loss surgeries like VSG and RYGB alter brain cell activity related to appetite and metabolism to understand why these procedures work.
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Glucagon's diabetes-related effects after bariatric surgery
This project looks at how glucagon affects blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, comparing people who have had bariatric surgery to those who haven’t.
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BREW ME Model: How bariatric surgery changes alcohol use biology
A study investigates why some people drink more or develop hazardous drinking after bariatric surgery, using biology and behavior to understand the change.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.