Plain-English translation of NCT01945840 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Read our Obesity research guide →This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
Gastric bypass surgery helps people lose weight and improve their blood sugar control, but scientists don't fully understand why. This trial is testing whether three natural hormones your gut produces—called GLP-1, oxyntomodulin, and peptide YY—are responsible for these benefits. Researchers will give some participants infusions of these hormones over 4 weeks to see if they produce the same weight loss and metabolic improvements as surgery.
Gastric bypass surgery works well, but it's a major operation. If scientists can prove that the benefits come mainly from these three gut hormones, doctors might one day be able to offer patients similar benefits through hormone treatment instead—a less invasive option.
You likely qualify if…
You likely don't qualify if…
Depending on which group you're assigned to, you may either receive daily subcutaneous infusions (injections under your skin) of hormone combinations or placebo for 4 weeks, or follow a very low-calorie diet for 4 weeks. If you're in the surgery group, you'll undergo your already-scheduled gastric bypass surgery as planned. Throughout the study, you'll have blood tests, possibly brain imaging scans, and body composition measurements to help researchers understand how these hormones affect weight, appetite, and metabolism.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 7, 2026 · Not medical advice
United Kingdom
Sponsor
Imperial College London
Enrollment target
~190 participants
Started
October 2013
Primary completion
October 2028
Age range
18 Years – 70 Years
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in April 2021.
Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.
Central contact
Tricia Tan, MBChB MRCP
Imperial College London
Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.