(P15-034-24) Serum Branched-Chain Fatty Acids Levels Are Increased After Bariatric Surgery in Subjects With Obesity

Objectives: Branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) are saturated fatty acids (SFAs) with one or more methyl branches on the carbon chain, which have recently emerged as functional fatty acids. They are primarily found in full-fat dairy products, ruminant meat products, and fermented foods, and although the dietary intake of BCFA is the main source of these FAs, the endogenous synthesis of BCFAs from their branched chain amino acids (BCAA) precursors has also been described. Remarkably, serum levels of BCFAs have been reported to be inversely correlated with inflammation, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia and other characteristics of the metabolic syndrome in subjects with obesity. In this this study we aimed to determine the changes in the serum profile levels of BCFAs in patients with obesity after bariatric surgery (BS), and to evaluate whether these changes are correlated with weight loss and improvement in metabolic parameters.

Methods: An observational, prospective study was performed on 44 patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass at the Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital (Murcia, Spain). Serum samples were collected at baseline (one day before surgery), and 12 months after BS. Serum SFAs and BCFAs levels were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Results: The results revealed significant changes in the circulating levels of BCFAs, but not SFAs, after BS. Overall we found a significant increase in anteiso-BCFA, iso-BCFA and trimethyl-BCFA levels 12 months after BS. Furthermore, the changes in the levels of anteiso-16-M-18:0 negatively correlated with changes in BMI and fasting glucose, while those of both anteiso-12-M-14:0 and iso-13-M-14:0 correlated positively with changes in HbA1c. Changes in iso-12-M-13:0 negatively correlated with changes in triglycerides.

Conclusions: In this study we have shown for the first time that changes in circulating levels of certain BCFA species are associated with the decrease in weight loss and improvement in glucose and triglycerides levels 12 months after BS in subjects with obesity. These results could postulate that the increase of specific BCFA species in serum after surgery might have a role in the improvement of glucose control and dislipidemia resolution after BS, albeit further research is needed to confirm this idea.

Funding Sources: Institute of Health Carlos III (Madrid, Spain)