What is the role and importance of bacteria in the human body? Historically related to the occurrence of diseases, recent studies over the last decade show that bacteria play important roles in human metabolism and can even interfere with physiological aspects such as energy expenditure and glucose control. These were some of the revelations made by dr. Alexandre Miras, Clinical Professor in Metabolic Medicine at Imperial College, London, during the XVIII Brazilian Congress of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, held in Florianópolis (SC) by the Brazilian Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, which closes on Saturday, October 7th.
“What comes to mind about bacteria is that they cause disease, although they coexist with us. But recent discoveries over the past 10 years have shown that they can be friendly and play an important role especially in relation to energy expenditure and energy uptake of food, as well as glucose control”, said Dr. Miras. The novelty with regard to bariatric surgery is that the procedure alters the intestinal bacteria and this causes physiological impact on the patient. “When you take bacteria from a patient who has undergone bariatric bypass and transfers to another body, human or animal, we notice a loss of weight, a better control of glucose and also greater energy burning. The reverse also happens, as the doctor explains: if transferring bacteria from an obese person to another, healthier patient, there may be gain of weight and changes in metabolism.
At the Brazilian Congress, he also spoke about the new findings regarding the reaction and function of bile acids in the postoperative period: “what was not known was that bypass surgery greatly increases the level of these acids in the blood, which increases its influence on the messages it sends to the body about appetite control, hunger control, and energy consumed. A lot of times this occurs soon after the procedure, but we still do not know if this has a long-term effect. that this still occurs one to two years after surgery, “he explains. Specialist in Diabetes and Endocrinology, dr. Miras has developed several researches on the effects of bariatric surgery on eating rewards using functional neuroimaging and behavioral methodologies.
Genetic aspects in obesity
Endocrinologist Bruno Halpern highlighted aspects related to the effects of bariatric surgeries on genetic inheritance: “if a mother is obese and her children begin to have other obese children, this can continue in an eternal vicious cycle. Suggesting mothers who lose weight before becoming pregnant is beneficial to future generations”.
Specifically regarding bariatric surgery, studies have shown that there are changes in some specific genes following the procedure. But care must be taken with other negative factors that may be related, such as intrauterine growth restriction.
“Preconception weight loss is a strategy for fluctuating obesity reduction in the next generation. Regarding to bariatric surgery the changes may be favorable in relation to weight reduction, but may be unfavorable depending on a growth restriction or vitamin deficiency. We need long-term results – like waiting for a whole generation to gauge”, says Dr. Bruno Halpern.