Study of Amino Acid Supplementation for Patients With an Excessive Loss of Muscular Body Mass After Obesity Surgery.

Despite the demonstrable health and quality of life benefits, there are unknowns within consequences of obesity surgery. Weight loss composition is poorly understood. The objective is to have a significant loss of body fat and a limited loss of muscular weight. A cohort study in the nutrition unit at Toulouse University Hospital shows that 3 months and 1 year after surgery, there are 2 phenotypes of patients. The first one is called 'little loss' and is defined by a contribution of muscular weight lower than 15% of the total weight loss. The other one is called 'big loss' and is defined by a contribution of muscular weight higher than 15% of the total weight loss. Causes of these different phenotypes are unknown for the moment. Some amino acids have an anabolic potential. Leucine induces a muscular protein synthesis in clinical situations like hepatic cirrhosis, and some populations like new born and older people. Assuming that, a leucine-enriched essential amino acid supplementation will have a benefit effect on the muscular mass. That is testing the influence of the quality of protein consumed, more than the quantity. An anabolic substance (amino acid here) can lead to gain of muscle only if it is associated to regular physical training, all patients will follow a physical training.