Iron Metabolism in Obesity

Official title

Dysregulation of Iron Metabolism in Obese Individuals and Its Implications for Metabolic Health

Overview

This study consists of two phases and aims to understand how obesity and systemic iron deficiency affect iron accumulation in important organs such as the liver and heart, as well as oxidative stress in fat tissue cells. In Phase 1, researchers will compare individuals with obesity who have iron deficiency to those without, to see if there are differences in the amount of iron stored in the liver and heart, measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and in oxidative stress and labile iron in visceral and subcutaneous fat tissue, assessed through biopsies. Phase 2 is a six-month prospective cohort study following the same individuals after they undergo bariatric surgery, a weight-loss surgery. The goal is to evaluate whether weight and fat loss normalize iron accumulation in the liver and heart, reduce oxidative stress, improve systemic iron metabolism, enhance blood sugar control, support liver function, modulate chronic inflammation, and restore gut microbiota diversity. Researchers will compare these health changes between individuals with and without iron deficiency. The study includes adults aged 18 to 50 with obesity living in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Mexico, who are scheduled for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy surgery and agree to participate. The findings could improve understanding of how iron metabolism interacts with obesity-related complications and may lead to better treatments and management strategies for people with obesity and iron deficiency.

Detailed description

This is a prospective observational cohort study designed to evaluate changes in clinical, biochemical, and dietary variables related to iron status in adult individuals undergoing restrictive bariatric surgery (laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy or adjustable gastric banding) in the urban area of Monterrey, Mexico. The main objective is to assess whether iron status prior to surgery influences weight loss success, inflammatory response, and overall health-related quality of life in the six months following surgery.

A total of 50 participants (25 with iron deficiency and 25 without, defined according to WHO standards) will be enrolled. Participants will be classified into groups based on baseline iron status measured using routine preoperative laboratory data. Eligibility criteria include age between 18 and 50 years, premenopausal women, BMI between 35 and 45 kg/m², and eligibility for restrictive bariatric surgery according to international guidelines. Exclusion criteria include prior bariatric surgery, severe anemia (Hb \< 100 g/L), medical conditions that may affect inflammation or iron metabolism, chronic liver disease, recent pregnancy or lactation, recent significant weight loss (\>10% in the last 6 months), shift work, and high levels of physical activity (\>10 hours/week).

All participants will be followed for 6 months after surgery. Outcome assessments include anthropometric measurements, laboratory parameters (hemoglobin, ferritin, CRP, among others), dietary intake, and patient-reported outcomes. Dietary intake will be assessed using MyFitnessPal, a mobile app for dietary tracking, with standardized food entries labeled "IRONXL" based on the Mexican food composition database. Participants will be trained to enter food items accurately and consistently. Data from MyFitnessPal will be exported to obtain nutrient intake data.

Quality of life and general health status will be measured using the PROMIS Global Health questionnaire, a validated 10-item tool. A structured case report form will collect demographic, medical history, and lifestyle data. Blood samples will be collected and stored for potential future research purposes, pending optional consent by participants.

The study will be conducted at the Zambrano Hellion Medical Center, TecSalud. The research team includes qualified surgeons and investigators trained in Good Clinical Practice (GCP). Data quality assurance procedures will include double-entry verification of questionnaire data, standardized anthropometric assessments, and laboratory analyses conducted in accredited clinical laboratories. A Manual of Procedures (MOP) guides all data collection processes.

Missing data will be managed through multiple imputation when appropriate, and all analyses will be conducted according to a pre-specified Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP). The primary outcome is change in weight (kg and % of initial body weight) over 6 months. Secondary outcomes include change in hemoglobin, ferritin, CRP, dietary iron intake, and PROMIS scores.

The sampling method is non-probabilistic and based on convenience sampling of patients scheduled for surgery who meet the eligibility criteria and agree to participate voluntarily. All participants will provide written informed consent before any study procedures.

Optional consent will be obtained for the long-term storage and future analysis of biospecimens (whole blood, serum). These samples may be used in future research related to iron metabolism, inflammation, and nutrition. Participants who decline this optional component will still be eligible to participate in the main study.

Interventions

• Procedure Bariatric Sleeve Surgery
  Participants undergo a restrictive bariatric procedure called sleeve gastrectomy, performed by experienced surgeons. This procedure involves surgical reduction of the stomach size to aid in weight loss. The study observes outcomes related to iron metabolism, body composition, and biochemical markers over six months post-surgery. No additional interventions or treatments are applied as part of the study protocol; the surgery is part of routine clinical care.

Primary outcome measures

• Percentage of Body Weight Loss at 6 Months Post-Surgery [Time frame: Measured at baseline (pre-surgery) and 6 months post-surgery.]

Secondary outcome measures (12)

• Percentage of total body fat [Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after baseline visit.]
• Lean mass [Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after baseline visit.]
• Bone mineral density [Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after baseline visit.]
• Changes in gut microbiota composition [Time frame: Baseline and 6 months after baseline visit.]
• Blood pressure [Time frame: At baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-baseline.]
• Resting heart rate [Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-baseline.]
• Fasting plasma glucose [Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months post-baseline.]
• Insulin [Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months post-baseline.]
• Total cholesterol [Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months post-baseline.]
• LDL cholesterol [Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months post-baseline.]
• HDL cholesterol [Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months post-baseline.]
• Triglycerides [Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months post-baseline.]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• Male and female participants aged 18 to 50 years.
• Premenopausal women (defined as no absence of menstruation in the past 12 months).
• Body Mass Index (BMI) between 35 and 45 kg/m² at recruitment.
• Scheduled to undergo bariatric surgery via sleeve gastrectomy or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), with indications aligned with international guidelines. Bariatric surgery eligibility includes:

• BMI between 35 and 45 kg/m² with the presence of obesity-related comorbidities (medical, physical, or psychosocial conditions), and a history of unsuccessful attempts at sustained weight loss through non-surgical means.
• Adequately informed, understanding and accepting the potential risks and benefits of the procedure, and expressing commitment to adhere to long-term dietary and physical activity recommendations post-surgery.
• Willing to maintain consistent dietary iron intake and refrain from taking any iron supplements other than those prescribed by the attending surgeon throughout the study duration.
• Not pregnant during the study period or in the six months prior to enrollment, and not planning to become pregnant for at least 3 months after the final study visit (at 6 months).
• Not breastfeeding in the six weeks prior to enrollment, nor planning to breastfeed during the study.
• No significant weight loss (≥10% of body weight) in the six months prior to the pre-surgical evaluation.
• Signed informed consent.
• No night shift work during the two weeks prior to the baseline visit or at any point during the study (night shift defined as work performed between 12:00 AM and 6:00 AM).
• Not engaging in strenuous physical activity ≥10 hours per week.

Exclusion criteria

• Participants who have undergone any bariatric procedure other than LAGB or sleeve gastrectomy.
• Severe anemia (defined as hemoglobin <100 g/L).
• History of previous surgical obesity treatments.
• Presence of significant medical conditions that may affect iron status or inflammatory markers independently of obesity, including but not limited to: cancer, HIV/AIDS, inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic kidney disease (per investigator's judgment).
• Diagnosed abnormalities in iron metabolism based on routine pre-surgical blood samples and unrelated to obesity (e.g., thalassemia).
• History of frequent blood transfusions.
• Chronic liver disease (e.g., alcoholic liver disease, hepatitis C-related liver disease).
• Use of medications that could interfere with study measurements (per investigator's judgment).
• Women consuming ≥14 alcoholic beverages per typical week or men consuming >21 alcoholic beverages per typical week.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Observational model

Cohort

Study locations

Mexico · 1 center

• Fundación Santos y de la Garza Evia, IBP — San Pedro Garza García

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07157332 · IPI-D

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗