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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Dec 1;5(12):e2247226.
doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.47226.

Effectiveness of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Weight Loss in Patients With Obesity Undergoing Bariatric Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Perttu Lahtinen  1 , Anne Juuti  2 , Markku Luostarinen  3 , Leo Niskanen  4 , Tarja Liukkonen  5 , Jyrki Tillonen  1 , Jyrki Kössi  3 , Vesa Ilvesmäki  4 , Mikko Viljakka  3 , Reetta Satokari  6 , Perttu Arkkila  7
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effectiveness of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Weight Loss in Patients With Obesity Undergoing Bariatric Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Perttu Lahtinen et al. JAMA Netw Open. .

Abstract

Importance: Severe obesity is a major health concern. However, a few patients remain resistant to bariatric surgery and other treatments. Animal studies suggest that weight may be altered by fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from a lean donor.

Objective: To determine whether FMT from a lean donor reduces body weight and further improves the results of bariatric surgery.

Design, setting, and participants: This double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multicenter, randomized clinical trial was conducted in 2018 to 2021 among adult individuals with severe obesity treated at 2 bariatric surgery centers in Finland and included 18 months of follow-up. Patients eligible for bariatric surgery were recruited for the study. Data were analyzed from March 2021 to May 2022.

Interventions: FMT from a lean donor or from the patient (autologous placebo) was administered by gastroscopy into the duodenum. Bariatric surgery was performed 6 months after the baseline intervention using laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

Main outcomes and measures: The main outcome was weight reduction measured as the percentage of total weight loss (TWL).

Results: Forty-one patients were recruited to participate in the study and were included in the final analysis (29 women [71.1%]; mean [SD] age, 48.7 [8.7] years; mean [SD] body mass index, 42.5 [6.0]). A total of 21 patients received FMT from a lean donor, and 20 received an autologous placebo. Six months after FMT, 34 patients underwent LRYGB and 4 underwent LSG. Thirty-four patients (82.9%) attended the last visit 18 months after the baseline visit. The percentage of TWL at 6 months was 4.8% (95% CI, 2.7% to 7.0%; P < .001) in the FMT group and 4.6% (95% CI, 1.5% to 7.6%; P = .006) in the placebo group, but no difference was observed between the groups. At 18 months from the baseline (ie, 12 months after surgery), the percentage of TWL was 25.3% (95% CI, 19.5 to 31.1; P < .001) in the FMT group and 25.2% (95% CI, 20.2 to 30.3; P < .001) in the placebo group; however, no difference was observed between the groups.

Conclusions and relevance: FMT did not affect presurgical and postsurgical weight loss. Further studies are needed to elucidate the possible role of FMT in obesity.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03391817.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Niskanen reported receiving grants from Novo Nordisk Clinical; and personal fees from Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Amgen outside the submitted work. Dr Satokari reported receiving grants from Academy of Finland, The Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation, The Novo Nordisk Foundation, and the European Commission; and personal fees from The Paulo Foundation outside the submitted work. No other disclosures were reported.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Trial Flowchart
FMT indicates fecal microbiota transplantation; RYGB, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Percentage of Excess Body Mass Index Loss (EBMIL) at Different Time Points
FMT indicates fecal microbiota transplantation.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.. Moorehead-Ardelt Quality of Life (QoL)
FMT indicates fecal microbiota transplantation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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