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Healthy Body, Healthy Bones After Bariatric Surgery Trial

Feasibility of Bisphosphonate Use on Sleeve Gastrectomy Associated Bone Loss: Healthy Body, Healthy Bones Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 1Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04279392
Enrollment
10
Registered
2020-02-21
Start date
2020-09-01
Completion date
2022-12-30
Last updated
2024-09-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Bariatric Surgery Candidate, Bone Loss, Bone Resorption

Brief summary

One in three adults in the United States suffers from obesity. Bariatric surgery is an increasingly utilized and effective treatment for obesity and obesity-related comorbidities, however, the massive weight loss associated with bariatric surgery adversely affects bone leads to an increased risk of fracture. Bisphosphonate medications, such as zoledronic acid, are used to treat bone loss in patients with osteoporosis, and this study investigates whether this medication can prevent bone loss associated with surgical weight loss procedures.

Detailed description

One in three adults in the United States suffers from obesity. Bariatric surgery is an increasingly utilized and effective treatment for obesity and obesity-related comorbidities, however, the massive weight loss associated with bariatric surgery adversely affects bone metabolism. Significant decreases in bone mineral density lead to an increased risk of fracture and subsequent reduction in physical function among bariatric surgery patients. Bisphosphonate medications, such as zoledronic acid, have been evaluated for safety and efficacy in combating bone loss in patients with osteoporosis, but their use in bariatric surgery-induced bone loss has not been explored. The primary goal of this study is to investigate whether bisphosphonate therapies are able to combat bone loss associated with surgical weight loss procedures. This research proposal is a 1-year, pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 30 adult sleeve gastrectomy patients randomized to receive either a one-time zoledronic acid infusion or placebo (n=15 per group). The investigators hypothesize that zoledronic acid, a standard treatment for low bone density, will be an effective intervention to reduce sleeve gastrectomy-induced bone loss. Bone loss is an unintended consequence of an otherwise life-saving procedure, with declining bone health potentially contributing to major morbidity in those undergoing a bariatric procedure. Identifying effective interventions to minimize bone loss is crucial for comprehensive treatment of patients who undergo bariatric surgery. Specific Aim 1: To determine the efficacy of zoledronic acid in preventing bone loss associated with sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers will be measured at baseline and 9 months. The primary outcome is change in BMD as measured by Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Secondary outcomes are change in BMD as measured by Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT) and change in the serum bone turnover markers, urinary collagen type 1 cross-linked N-telopeptide (CTX; bone formation marker), serum type 1 procollagen N-terminal (P1NP; bone resorption marker), sclerostin, and osteocalcin. Specific Aim 2: To evaluate the feasibility of this trial in those who have undergone SG surgery. The feasibility will be assessed by documenting adverse events and compliance rates of the intervention at each study time point.

Interventions

Zoledronic acid infusion

DRUGPlacebos

Saline infusion

Sponsors

University of Nebraska
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

The research pharmacist will deliver the drug pr placebo to the treatment nurse in an unlabeled 100 ml saline bag for infusion.

Intervention model description

In this randomized controlled trial each subject will be randomized (1:1, block randomization with a block size of 10) to one treatment group (Active or Inactive treatment) and will be considered part of the intent-to-treat (ITT) cohort. The research pharmacist will be responsible for completing the randomization process, and will hold the group assignment data. All other study personnel will be blinded to group assignment.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
19 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Subjects planning a sleeve gastrectomy procedure at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Bariatric Center * Agreement to all study procedures and assessments * Women must be postmenopausal (FSH blood level \> 30 mIU/m), or incapable of child-bearing

Exclusion criteria

* Prior bariatric surgery * \< 19 years of age * Weight ≥ 350lbs * Liver or renal disease * Hypercalcemia, hypocalcemia, or hypomagnesemia * Serum 25-OH vitamin D \< 20 ng/mL * History of bone-modifying disorders * Use of bone-active medications * Known sensitivity to bisphosphonates * Extensive dental work involving extraction or dental implant within the past 2 months or planned in the upcoming 6 months * Current diagnosis of type 1 diabetes * Current malignancy * Autoimmune disease impacting bone (ex: Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Hip Bone Mineral Density (BMD)baseline and 10 months post-surgeryChange in hip bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) - g/cm2

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Lumbar Spine Bone Mineral Density (BMD)baseline and 10 months post-surgeryChange in lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)/cm2 of L1-L4 lumbar vertebrae
Change in Trunk Lean Massbaseline and 9 months post-surgeryChange in trunk lean mass, measured in kg
Change in Trunk Fat Massbaseline and 9 months post-surgeryChange in Trunk fat mass, measured in kg
Change in Weightbaseline and 9 months post-surgeryChange in weight, measured in kgs

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Proportion of Participants Completing 9 Month Study Visit Requirements9 MonthsFeasibility assessment: proportion of participants completing 9 Month study visit requirements
Tolerance: Total Number of Adverse Events Reported by Participants in the Active and In-active Arms9 MonthsComparison of the total number of adverse events reported by participants in the active and in-active arms

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Active Infusion
At 6 weeks post surgery, 5 mg of zoledronic acid in 100 ml of saline will be infused intravenously over a 15 minute time period. Zoledronic Acid 5 mg/Bag 100 ml Inj: Zoledronic acid infusion
3
Non-active Infusion
At 6 weeks post surgery, 100 ml of saline will be infused intravenously over a 15 minute time period. Placebos: Saline infusion
7
Total10

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyPhysician Decision10

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicActive InfusionNon-active InfusionTotal
Age, Continuous49.8 years43.1 years44.4 years
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
2 Participants0 Participants2 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
1 Participants7 Participants8 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Hip BMD1.2 g/cm21.2 g/cm21.2 g/cm2
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
3 Participants7 Participants10 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
3 participants7 participants10 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
2 Participants7 Participants9 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 30 / 7
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 30 / 7
serious
Total, serious adverse events
1 / 30 / 7

Outcome results

Primary

Change in Hip Bone Mineral Density (BMD)

Change in hip bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) - g/cm2

Time frame: baseline and 10 months post-surgery

Population: Study participants who completed the study

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Active InfusionChange in Hip Bone Mineral Density (BMD)0 g/cm2
Non-active InfusionChange in Hip Bone Mineral Density (BMD)-.03 g/cm2
Secondary

Change in Lumbar Spine Bone Mineral Density (BMD)

Change in lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)/cm2 of L1-L4 lumbar vertebrae

Time frame: baseline and 10 months post-surgery

Population: Participants who completed the study

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Active InfusionChange in Lumbar Spine Bone Mineral Density (BMD).06 g/cm2
Non-active InfusionChange in Lumbar Spine Bone Mineral Density (BMD).06 g/cm2
Secondary

Change in Trunk Fat Mass

Change in Trunk fat mass, measured in kg

Time frame: baseline and 9 months post-surgery

Population: Participants who completed the study

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Active InfusionChange in Trunk Fat Mass-1.0 kg
Non-active InfusionChange in Trunk Fat Mass-5.4 kg
Secondary

Change in Trunk Lean Mass

Change in trunk lean mass, measured in kg

Time frame: baseline and 9 months post-surgery

Population: Participants who completed the study

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Active InfusionChange in Trunk Lean Mass-2.7 kg
Non-active InfusionChange in Trunk Lean Mass-3.3 kg
Secondary

Change in Weight

Change in weight, measured in kgs

Time frame: baseline and 9 months post-surgery

Population: participants who completed the study

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Active InfusionChange in Weight-10.9 kg
Non-active InfusionChange in Weight-22.7 kg
Other Pre-specified

Proportion of Participants Completing 9 Month Study Visit Requirements

Feasibility assessment: proportion of participants completing 9 Month study visit requirements

Time frame: 9 Months

Other Pre-specified

Tolerance: Total Number of Adverse Events Reported by Participants in the Active and In-active Arms

Comparison of the total number of adverse events reported by participants in the active and in-active arms

Time frame: 9 Months

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 13, 2026