Can the FUT 2 Gene Variant Have an Effect on the Body Weight of Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery? - Preliminary, Exploratory Study

Background: The FUT2 gene (Se gene) encoding the enzyme α-1,2-L-fucosyltransferase 2 seems to have a significant effect on the number and type of bacteria colonizing the intestines. Methods: In a group of 19 patients after bariatric surgery, the polymorphism (rs601338) of FUT2 gene was analyzed in combination with body mass reduction, intestinal microbiome (16S RNA sequencing), and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) measurements in stools. Results: Among the secretors (Se/Se polymorphism of the FUT2 gene rs601338, carriers of GG variant), correlations between waist-hip ratio (WHR) and propionate content and an increase in Prevotella, Escherichia, Shigella, and Bacteroides were observed. On the other hand—in non-secretors (carriers of GA and AA variants)—higher abundance of Enterobacteriaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Clostridiales was recorded. Conclusions: The increased concentrations of propionate observed among the GG variants of FUT 2 may be used as an additional source of energy for the patient and may have a higher risk of increasing the WHR than carriers of the other variants (GA and AA)

What are the diets of patients before bariatric surgery?

Background. Obesity is regarded as the most common disease of affluence, gradually getting an epidemic status. Objective. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of consumption of selected food products among the patients qualified for bariatric surgery, together with the analysis of the potential effect of the diet on the development of obesity in examined group of people. Material and Methods. The study involved 57 patients qualified for bariatric treatment of obesity. A standardized food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used and anthropometric measurements were performed. Results. In examined group of people, along with increasing BMI, the frequency of cheeses consumption decreased, whereas the frequency of consumption of vegetable and fruit - vegetable juices increased. In addition to that, it was observed that with higher frequency of consumption of animal fat (lard, bacon) and beer, the value of WHR increased, whereas the frequency of consumption of dairy products was in direct proportion to body weight of examined people. It was also noted that people living in the country consumed fruits and potatoes significantly more often than people living in the city, and that people with higher education significantly more often ate coarse grits, high quality meats and fatty fish, as compared to people with vocational training. Conclusions. Inappropriate selection of food products and numerous dietary mistakes made by the patients directly contributed to the development of extreme obesity. The patients prepared for bariatric surgery should receive a dietician support during the preparation for the procedure and afterwards, later in life, in order to maintain a reduced body weight after the surgery

Analysis of the Efficacy of Diet and Short-Term Probiotic Intervention on Depressive Symptoms in Patients after Bariatric Surgery: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Pilot Study

(1) Background: studies have shown that some patients experience mental deterioration after bariatric surgery. (2) Methods: We examined whether the use of probiotics and improved eating habits can improve the mental health of people who suffered from mood disorders after bariatric surgery. We also analyzed patients’ mental states, eating habits and microbiota. (3) Results: Depressive symptoms were observed in 45% of 200 bariatric patients. After 5 weeks, we noted an improvement in patients’ mental functioning (reduction in BDI and HRSD), but it was not related to the probiotic used. The consumption of vegetables and whole grain cereals increased (DQI-I adequacy), the consumption of simple sugars and SFA decreased (moderation DQI-I), and the consumption of monounsaturated fatty acids increased it. In the feces of patients after RYGB, there was a significantly higher abundance of two members of the Muribaculaceae family, namely Veillonella and Roseburia, while those after SG had more Christensenellaceae R-7 group, Subdoligranulum, Oscillibacter, and UCG-005. (4) Conclusions: the noted differences in the composition of the gut microbiota (RYGB vs. SG) may be one of the determinants of the proper functioning of the gut–brain microbiota axis, although there is currently a need for further research into this topic using a larger group of patients and different probiotic doses