Beyond weight loss: exploring bile acid modulations after bariatric surgery and their impact on type 2 diabetes across 5 years

Objective

This study aimed to explore the dynamic role of bile acids (BAs) in metabolic improvements following bariatric surgery, specifically comparing the effects of silastic ring laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (SR-LRYGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on BA composition and clinical parameters over a 5-year period.

Methods

A cohort of patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes underwent SR-LRYGB or LSG. Principal component analysis was performed to evaluate BAs and clinical outcomes.

Results

Despite significant increases in the first year after surgery, BA levels returned to baseline after 5 years. However, principal component analysis revealed that certain BA profiles may contribute to long-term metabolic benefits.

Conclusions

Although total BA levels return to baseline by 5 years after surgery, specific BA profiles, as identified by principal component analysis from oral glucose tolerance test data, are associated with sustained metabolic improvements. SR-LRYGB is associated with more durable metabolic benefits compared with LSG. However, given the use of the oral glucose tolerance test, which may not fully capture postprandial BA dynamics, further research using mixed-meal tolerance tests is needed to confirm these findings.