Hunger/Satiety's Physiopathologic Study in Morbidly Obese Patients
Hunger/Satiety's Physiopathologic Study in Morbidly Obese Patients
The mechanisms that regulate appetite in the morbidly obese are multifactorial and not
 well-known. Different peripheral signals (such as ghrelin or cholecystokinin) play an
 important role in the central regulation of appetite and hunger. Postprandial ghrelin and
 cholecystokinin (CCK) response has also an effect on gastric emptying that, in turn, has an
 effect on satiety sensation.

 On the other hand, bariatric surgery is supposed to affect hunger and satiety in and also
 promotes changes in gastric emptying which are not clearly defined.

 Aim: To better understand the physiologic mechanisms involved in the regulation of hunger and
 satiety in morbidly obese individuals, especially those related with gallbladder and gastric
 emptying, as well as those related with the response of the gastrointestinal hormones
 ghrelin, CCK and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), before and after bariatric surgery (sleeve
 gastrectomy). Methodology: Three groups of individuals will be studied and compared: group A)
 non obese healthy subjects, group B) morbidly obese subjects and group C) morbidly obese
 subjects who had had a previous sleeve gastrectomy. In all subjects a standard meal test
 after a fasting night will be administered and appetite, satiety and hormonal response
 (ghrelin, CCK, GLP-1 and insulin) during 4 hours post-ingestion assessed, as well as
 postprandial gallbladder and gastric emptying by means of ultrasonography and the paracetamol
 absorption technique.
Inclusion Criteria:

 Group A: non obese individuals (Body Mass Index; BMI < 30 Kg/m2) Group B: Fulfilling the
 National Health Institute (NHI) criteria for bariatric surgery (BMI higher than 40 Kg/m2 or
 35 Kg/m2 when related comorbidities) Group C: Previous morbidly obese individuals who had
 had a sleeve gastrectomy at least 6 months ago.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 Group A: previous gastric surgery or gallbladder removal. Group B: previous gastric surgery
 or gallbladder removal. Group C: previous gallbladder removal.