Preoperative brain μ-opioid receptor availability predicts weight development following bariatric surgery in women

Bariatric surgery is the most effective method for weight loss in morbid obesity. There is significant individual variability in the weight loss outcomes, yet factors leading to postoperative weight loss or weight regain remain elusive. Alterations in the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) and dopamine D2 rece...

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Main Authors: Henry K. Karlsson, Lauri Tuominen, Semi Helin, Paulina Salminen, Pirjo Nuutila, Lauri Nummenmaa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Society for Clinical investigation 2021-05-01
Series:JCI Insight
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.147820
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author Henry K. Karlsson
Lauri Tuominen
Semi Helin
Paulina Salminen
Pirjo Nuutila
Lauri Nummenmaa
author_facet Henry K. Karlsson
Lauri Tuominen
Semi Helin
Paulina Salminen
Pirjo Nuutila
Lauri Nummenmaa
author_sort Henry K. Karlsson
collection DOAJ
description Bariatric surgery is the most effective method for weight loss in morbid obesity. There is significant individual variability in the weight loss outcomes, yet factors leading to postoperative weight loss or weight regain remain elusive. Alterations in the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) and dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) systems are associated with obesity and appetite control, and the magnitude of initial brain receptor system perturbation may predict long-term surgical weight loss outcomes. We tested this hypothesis by studying 19 morbidly obese women (mean BMI 40) scheduled to undergo bariatric surgery. We measured their preoperative MOR and D2R availabilities using positron emission tomography with [11C]carfentanil and [11C]raclopride, respectively, and then assessed their weight development association with regional MOR and D2R availabilities at 24-month follow-up. MOR availability in the amygdala consistently predicted weight development throughout the follow-up period, but no associations were found for D2R. This is the first study to our knowledge to demonstrate that neuroreceptor markers prior to bariatric surgery are associated with postoperative weight development. Postoperative weight regain may derive from dysfunction in the opioid system, and weight loss outcomes after bariatric surgery may be partially predicted based on preoperative brain receptor availability, opening up new potential for treatment possibilities.
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spelling doaj.art-78fe587a41a4471285e46c90c8fb5c5c2022-12-22T02:42:37ZengAmerican Society for Clinical investigationJCI Insight2379-37082021-05-01610Preoperative brain μ-opioid receptor availability predicts weight development following bariatric surgery in womenHenry K. KarlssonLauri TuominenSemi HelinPaulina SalminenPirjo NuutilaLauri NummenmaaBariatric surgery is the most effective method for weight loss in morbid obesity. There is significant individual variability in the weight loss outcomes, yet factors leading to postoperative weight loss or weight regain remain elusive. Alterations in the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) and dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) systems are associated with obesity and appetite control, and the magnitude of initial brain receptor system perturbation may predict long-term surgical weight loss outcomes. We tested this hypothesis by studying 19 morbidly obese women (mean BMI 40) scheduled to undergo bariatric surgery. We measured their preoperative MOR and D2R availabilities using positron emission tomography with [11C]carfentanil and [11C]raclopride, respectively, and then assessed their weight development association with regional MOR and D2R availabilities at 24-month follow-up. MOR availability in the amygdala consistently predicted weight development throughout the follow-up period, but no associations were found for D2R. This is the first study to our knowledge to demonstrate that neuroreceptor markers prior to bariatric surgery are associated with postoperative weight development. Postoperative weight regain may derive from dysfunction in the opioid system, and weight loss outcomes after bariatric surgery may be partially predicted based on preoperative brain receptor availability, opening up new potential for treatment possibilities.https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.147820EndocrinologyNeuroscience
spellingShingle Henry K. Karlsson
Lauri Tuominen
Semi Helin
Paulina Salminen
Pirjo Nuutila
Lauri Nummenmaa
Preoperative brain μ-opioid receptor availability predicts weight development following bariatric surgery in women
JCI Insight
Endocrinology
Neuroscience
title Preoperative brain μ-opioid receptor availability predicts weight development following bariatric surgery in women
title_full Preoperative brain μ-opioid receptor availability predicts weight development following bariatric surgery in women
title_fullStr Preoperative brain μ-opioid receptor availability predicts weight development following bariatric surgery in women
title_full_unstemmed Preoperative brain μ-opioid receptor availability predicts weight development following bariatric surgery in women
title_short Preoperative brain μ-opioid receptor availability predicts weight development following bariatric surgery in women
title_sort preoperative brain μ opioid receptor availability predicts weight development following bariatric surgery in women
topic Endocrinology
Neuroscience
url https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.147820
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AT semihelin preoperativebrainmopioidreceptoravailabilitypredictsweightdevelopmentfollowingbariatricsurgeryinwomen
AT paulinasalminen preoperativebrainmopioidreceptoravailabilitypredictsweightdevelopmentfollowingbariatricsurgeryinwomen
AT pirjonuutila preoperativebrainmopioidreceptoravailabilitypredictsweightdevelopmentfollowingbariatricsurgeryinwomen
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