FAECAL MICROBIOTA TRANSPLANTATION IN OBESITY

FAECAL MICROBIOTA TRANSPLANTATION IN THE TREATMENT OF MORBID OBESITY

40 patients meeting the criteria for obesity surgery are enrolled. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) will be administered in gastroscopy 6 months before obesity surgery. 20 of the patients will receive a fecal transplant of a thin donor and 20 will receive placebo - a transplant made of their on feces. Changes in weight, laboratory values, general well being and stool microbiota will be measured up to one year after the surgery; one and a half years after FMT. The hypothesis is that FMT and the change in gut microbiota will help to reduce and maintain lower weight.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Candidates for the bariatric surgery

BMI ≥ 40 or BMI ≥35 and at least two obesity-related co-morbidities such as type II diabetes (T2DM), hypertension, sleep apnea and other respiratory disorders, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, lipid abnormalities, gastrointestinal disorders, or heart disease.

• Availability of consecutive fecal samples during one year
• Compliance to attend gastroscopy and FMT
• 18-65 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to provide informed consent
• Pregnancy
• Type I Diabetes Mellitus
• Severe renal insufficiency, GFR<30%
• Chronic or recurrent bacterial infection needing antimicrobial treatment
• Large hiatal hernia