Using bisphosphonates to prevent bone loss after weight loss surgery
Official title: Bisphosphonate Use to Mitigate Bone Loss Secondary to Bariatric Surgery
Funded at Wake Forest University · NIH-10832532 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether a monthly medication called risedronate can help people who have had sleeve gastrectomy surgery keep their bones strong and reduce the risk of fractures as they lose weight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | May 20, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $563,850 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AR080969-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10832532 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have undergone sleeve gastrectomy and are at risk for bone loss.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had bariatric surgery or those with pre-existing severe bone conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of a medication called risedronate, a type of bisphosphonate, to help prevent bone loss in patients who have undergone sleeve gastrectomy (SG) for weight loss. The study aims to determine if risedronate can reduce the risk of fractures by inhibiting bone resorption, which tends to increase after SG. Patients will receive this medication once a month, and the research will assess its effectiveness in preserving bone density and potentially lean muscle mass over time. The findings could lead to improved management strategies for patients recovering from bariatric surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of bone fractures in patients who have had bariatric surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with bisphosphonates in reducing bone loss, suggesting that this approach may be effective in the context of bariatric surgery as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beavers, Kristen Marie — Wake Forest University
- Study coordinator: Beavers, Kristen Marie
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Monthly risedronate pill to protect bones after sleeve gastrectomy
This will see if a once-monthly risedronate pill helps protect bone health for people who have had sleeve gastrectomy.
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This project compares the osteoporosis drug risedronate to a placebo to help protect bone structure and strength in people aged 40 and older having sleeve gastrectomy.
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This study is looking at whether the medication risedronate can help prevent bone loss in people over 40 who have had sleeve gastrectomy for weight loss, and it will involve 120 participants taking either the medication or a placebo for six months.
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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.