Gut_microbiota_in_obesity_and_the_impact_of_bariatric_surgery

The gut microbiota plays a role in energy harvest. They are also implicated in the development of low-grade inflammation and metabolic syndrome associated with obesity. Obesity is a well-established risk factor for colorectal cancer. Gut microbiota have also been implicated in colorectal cancer development. Bariatric surgery is increasingly being used to treat severe obesity and has been shown to be successful in achieving significant sustained weight loss with associated improvements in insulin resistance and low-grade inflammation. Bariatric surgery has also been shown to alter the gut microbiota composition, but the precise significance of this is not well understood. The aim of this study is to better understand the link between gut microbiota composition, obesity and the impact of bariatric surgery, as well as implications for obesity-related complications, including changes in biomarkers of colorectal cancer risk. This project is part of the BOCABS (Biomarkers Of Colorectal cancer After Bariatric Surgery) study (www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN95459522).