Preliminary MARS results have been, and will continue to be, shared this year at several diverse clinical and scientific conferences. Recently, data were presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2010 by researchers from the GI Metabolism Laboratory and Weight Center at the MGH that demonstrated Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) accelerated an increase in circulating levels of certain bile acids following meals. Because these bile acids have previously been shown to activate thermogenesis (the production of heat) in muscle and brown adipose tissue, the researchers concluded that this accelerated response from patients who have undergone RYGB may be linked to the increased energy expenditure. This conclusion provides valuable insight into how RYGB works and may lead researchers to novel treatments that are less invasive but still deliver both weight loss and metabolic improvements.

"Ethicon Endo-Surgery is committed to collaborating with clinicians to develop new, comprehensive bariatric solutions while also ensuring that people with obesity have access to current treatment options that can help them achieve sustained weight loss and reduce co-morbidities," said Karen Licitra, group Chairperson, Ethicon Endo-Surgery. "Due to the incredible research being performed at institutions such as UC and MGH, the MARS program is yielding very exciting results that are changing our understanding of how bariatric surgery works.  We strongly believe continued efforts in this area will dramatically improve our collective ability to treat obesity and metabolic diseases."

MARS Research at ASMBS and American Diabetes Association Annual Meetings

Dr. Kaplan will discuss the MARS initiative and potential implications for bariatric surgery at the EES booth (#403) on Thursday, June 24, at 9:45 a.m. Dr. Kaplan will also present to ASMBS attendees during the evening of Tuesday, June 22, at an EES-sponsored event that will feature a panel of experts discussing a variety of important topics, including metabolics, new technology and revision surgery.

New ways to prevent and treat obesity and diabetes will also be a central focus at the upcoming American Diabetes Association annual meeting June 25-29 in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Kaplan will discuss data from the MARS initiative and advances in metabolic surgery during a continuing medical education (CME) symposium on biological and mechanical treatments of diabetes, sponsored in part by an educational grant from EES.

SOURCE Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (EES)