Bariatric surgery helps patients with severe obesity to lose weight, cures and prevents diseases linked to obesity and reduces the risk of death. Unfortunately, 1 in 5 patients do not respond well to surgery in terms of weight loss and health gains. Thus, maximising weight loss and health benefits after surgery is critical. This study aims to gain insight into the role that the appetite-stimulating hormone, ghrelin, plays in driving appetite and energy intake in patients with poor weight loss (≤ 20% total body weight) following bariatric surgery. This will guide future work to develop pharmacological treatments for obesity, both as standalone treatments and adjuncts to bariatric surgery. Participants will be invited to attend the Clinical Research Facility at University College London Hospital for a screening visit and six study visits. Active ghrelin levels will be reduced by inhibiting ghrelin-o-acyl-transferase (GOAT), the enzyme needed to generate active ghrelin (acyl ghrelin, AG). Participants will be randomised to receive GLWL-01 (GOAT inhibitor) 300mg BD or placebo for a 10 day study cycle. The effect of AG reduction on appetite and energy intake will be evaluated through both fixed-energy and ad libitum meal tests on day 7 and 10, respectively. Measures of body weight and composition, appetite and food cravings will be performed in addition to biochemical profiling of circulating gut hormone, adipokine and cytokine levels. Targeted physical examinations and assessment of adverse events will be performed. Safety monitoring calls will be conducted 2 and 7 days after the last dose. Following a 6-10 week washout period, participants will cross over to receive either placebo or GLWL-01 300mg BD and undergo a second study cycle, with all measures repeated.
Age range
18 Years – 64 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Within-subject acute energy intake
Timeframe: Final day of each study cycle, Day 10