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Bariatric Surgery

Exercise modifies hypothalamic connectivity and brain functional networks in women after bariatric surgery: a randomized clinical trial

International Journal of Obesity volume 47, pages 165–174 (2023)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background

Obesity is a disease that may involve disrupted connectivity of brain networks. Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for obesity, and the positive effects on obesity-related conditions may be enhanced by exercise. Herein, we aimed to investigate the possible synergistic effects of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) and exercise training on brain functional networks.

Methods

Thirty women eligible for bariatric surgery were randomly assigned to a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB: n = 15, age = 41.0 ± 7.3 years) or RYGB plus Exercise Training (RYGB + ET: n = 15, age = 41.9 ± 7.2 years). Clinical, laboratory, and brain functional connectivity parameters were assessed at baseline, and 3 (POST3) and 9 months (POST9) after surgery. The 6-month, three-times-a-week, exercise intervention (resistance plus aerobic exercise) was initiated 3 months post-surgery (for RYGB + ET).

Results

Exercise superimposed on bariatric surgery (RYGB + ET) increased connectivity between hypothalamus and sensorial regions (seed-to-voxel analyses of hypothalamic connectivity), and decreased default mode network (DMN) and posterior salience (pSAL) network connectivity (ROI-to-ROI analyses of brain networks connectivity) when compared to RYGB alone (all p-FDR < 0.05). Increases in basal ganglia (BG) network connectivity were only observed in the exercised training group (within-group analyses).

Conclusion

Exercise training is an important component in the management of post-bariatric patients and may improve the hypothalamic connectivity and brain functional networks that are involved in controlling food intake.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrial.gov: NCT02441361.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2: Seed-to-voxel analyses of hypothalamic connectivity.
Fig. 3: ROI-to-ROI analyses of ventral default mode network (vDMN) connectivity.
Fig. 4: ROI-to-ROI analyses of posterior salience (pSAL) network connectivity.
Fig. 5: ROI-to-ROI analyses of basal ganglia (BG) network connectivity.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, BG, upon reasonable request.

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Funding

The authors acknowledge the support by Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP - 2016/10993-5), the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq - grant 400157/2016-0 and 301571/2017-1). The study is also partially supported by NIGMS U54GM104940, and NIGMS P20GM103528 from NIH, USA.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Applied Physiology & Nutrition Research Group; School of Physical Education and Sport; Laboratory of Assessment and Conditioning in Rheumatology; Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Carlos A. A. Merege-Filho, Saulo S. Gil, Igor H. Murai, Alisson Padilha de Lima, Hamilton Roschel & Bruno Gualano

  2. Rheumatology Division, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Carlos A. A. Merege-Filho, Saulo S. Gil, Igor H. Murai, Alisson Padilha de Lima, Rosa M. R. Pereira, Ana L. de Sá-Pinto, Fernanda R. Lima, Hamilton Roschel & Bruno Gualano

  3. Integrated Physiology and Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

    John P. Kirwan & Wagner S. Dantas

  4. Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Neuroradiology (LIM-44), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Mariana P. Nucci, Bruno Pastorello, Paulo R. Bazán, Claudia da Costa Leite & Maria Concepción García Otaduy

  5. Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology Unit, Department of Neurology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Sonia M. D. Brucki

  6. Gastroenterology Department, Digestive Surgery Division Department of Digestive Division, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Roberto de Cleva & Marco A. Santo

Authors
  1. Carlos A. A. Merege-Filho
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Contributions

CAAMF, IHM, HR, WSD, SG, RC, MAS, and BG contributed to the study concept and design. All authors contributed to acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data, and critically reviewed the manuscript for important intellectual content. CAAMF, HR, SG, MPN, and BG drafted the manuscript and conducted the statistical analysis. HR, JPK, and BG obtained funding for the study. RC, ALP, FL, MAS, CCL MCGO, and RMRP provided administrative, technical, or material support. MCGO, HR, and BG supervised the study. CAAMF and BG had full access to all of the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

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Correspondence to Bruno Gualano.

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Merege-Filho, C.A.A., Gil, S.S., Kirwan, J.P. et al. Exercise modifies hypothalamic connectivity and brain functional networks in women after bariatric surgery: a randomized clinical trial. Int J Obes 47, 165–174 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-022-01251-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-022-01251-8

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