Tests a way to keep body weight during weight loss after bariatric surgery
Tests added body load in adults with obesity having bariatric surgery.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Proof of Concept in the Prevention of Post-bariatric Sarcopenia: Simulated Activation of the "Gravitostat"
Key facts
- Where
- Clermont-Ferrand, FranceSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 60 years old?
Source: NCT07120685, who can take part
Where in France
- CHU Clermont-FerrandClermont-Ferrand, FranceNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand
- Trial code
- NCT07120685
- Record updated
- 13 August 2025
- Original description
Due to its mechanical and metabolic functions, muscle loss leads to resistance to weight loss during caloric restriction, particularly in patients with obesity. The recent discovery of a "gravitational" homeostatic system, induced by an additional load to body weight, suggests the existence of a new weight control mechanism. Such a "gravitostat" would ensure a form of weight homeostasis mediated by afferent signals originating from osteocytes in response to gravity perception. This hypothesis, initially derived from animal studies, has more recently been tested in humans. It shows that "activation of the gravitostat" through artificial increases in body weight facilitates body weight reduction without affecting lean mass (LM). Therefore, this "gravitostat" could contribute to preserving LM despite the loss of fat mass , whereas its decline may compromise muscle mass and function after bariatric surgery, despite undeniable improvements in comorbidities.Read full original descriptionShow less
Proof of Concept in the Prevention of Post-bariatric Sarcopenia: Simulated Activation of the "Gravitostat", Randomized Pilot Study
Due to its mechanical and metabolic functions, muscle loss leads to resistance to weight loss during caloric restriction, particularly in patients with obesity. The recent discovery of a "gravitational" homeostatic system, induced by an additional load to body weight, suggests the existence of a new weight control mechanism. Such a "gravitostat" would ensure a form of weight homeostasis mediated by afferent signals originating from osteocytes in response to gravity perception. This hypothesis, initially derived from animal studies, has more recently been tested in humans. It shows that "activation of the gravitostat" through artificial increases in body weight facilitates body weight reduction without affecting lean mass (LM). Therefore, this "gravitostat" could contribute to preserving LM despite the loss of fat mass , whereas its decline may compromise muscle mass and function after bariatric surgery, despite undeniable improvements in comorbidities.
The present study aims to reduce the "metabolic load" (i.e., decreasing insulin resistance and inflammation) to promote muscle protein anabolism, while maintaining the "mechanical load" (by preserving initial body weight during weight loss induced by bariatric surgery) in order to activate the "gravitostat" and preserve muscle mass and function.
Currently, there are no clear recommendations or strategies to prevent muscle loss in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery. This simple concept, applied during drastic muscle loss, should help improve muscle health.
Inclusion: Female participants; Aged between 18 and 60 years; Planned for bariatric surgery, such as sleeve gastrectomy; Able to give informed consent to participate in research; Affiliated to a social security scheme.
Exclusion: Women weighing 170 kg or more; Inability to move around independently; Participants with a spinal pathology; Pregnant or breast-feeding women; Inability to comply with protocol recommendations; Adults under legal guardianship (curatorship, guardianship, deprivation of liberty, patients benefiting from a judicial protection measure or safeguard of justice); Refusal to participate.