Bariatric surgery promotes recruitment of brown fat linked to alterations in the gut microbiota
Authors' conclusion
Bariatric surgery helps recruit active BAT in individuals with obesity and is linked to distinct alterations in the gut microbiome and SCFA composition.
Study context
- Population
- Subjects with morbid obesity undergoing bariatric surgery25 females
- Participants
- 32 subjects
- Exposure
- Before vs up to 1 year after bariatric surgery; BATpos vs BAT-negative (BATneg)
- Outcome
- Cold-induced BAT activity ([18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose-PET-CT)
- Follow-up
- Up to 1 year after bariatric surgery
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Individuals with active BAT · 12 months after surgery
Percentage of individuals with active brown adipose tissue (BAT) increased from baseline to 12 months
28% to 53%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Metabolic benefit after surgery
- BATneg individuals, with an adverse metabolic profile at baseline vs BATpos, showed a greater metabolic benefit after surgery
Gut microbiota
- No changes in overall gut bacterial diversity between BATpos and BATneg
- Abundance of 3 bacterial families (Akkermansiaceae, Pasteurellaceae, Carnobacteriaceae) distinctly regulated between BAT groups
- Genera most strongly increased in BATpos vs BATneg all positively correlated with BAT volume and BAT activity
Circulating short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs)
- Acetate, butyrate and propionate rose after bariatric surgery and were related to SCFA-producing genera (Akkermansia, Dialister, Lachnospiraceae FCS020 group)
Original publication
Bariatric surgery promotes recruitment of brown fat linked to alterations in the gut microbiota. Eur J Endocrinol. Published 14 May 2025. doi:10.
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