Vertical sleeve gastrectomy improves social behaviors in obese, male mice

Bariatric surgery is an effective intervention to treat excess weight and deteriorated metabolic health. A majority of patients further benefit from improvements of mental health and the psychosocial state. However, given the complex interplay of factors affecting sociability in humans, the corresponding effects of the surgery remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) on sociability and social interaction in male, obese mice. Results showed an increase in time spent in the social chamber 9 and 30-35 days post-surgery as well as increased interaction with a subject at 9 days post-surgery. The initial enhancement in social behavior was associated with rapid weight loss, but long-term effects persisted beyond this phase when weight was largely recovered. The findings suggest that VSG positively influences sociability, potentially through mechanisms involving the HPA axis, as previously reported. This study provides new insights into the psychosocial benefits of bariatric surgery.