Clinical Research Directory

Effect of a Collagen-containing Supplement on Dermal Collagen Content in Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Patients Undergoing Corrective Aesthetic Surgery: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial

This single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluated whether perioperative supplementation with a collagen-based oral formulation affected dermal collagen content and postoperative outcomes in adults aged 18-65 years who had previously undergone metabolic/bariatric surgery and were scheduled for breast and/or abdominal body-contouring surgery. The active formulation (Nutribites Collageen Naturel) provided 11.8 g hydrolyzed bovine collagen peptides, 80 mg vitamin C derived from acerola, and 150 mg hyaluronic acid per daily serving; the comparator was 10 g of food-grade starch daily. Supplementation began eight weeks before surgery and was planned to continue for four weeks after surgery. Tissue was obtained only from skin routinely removed during the planned operation. The primary endpoint was dermal collagen area fraction in picrosirius-red-stained excised skin, quantified under conventional light microscopy. Secondary and other outcomes included collagen I and III immunohistochemical area fractions, epidermal thickness, TGF-beta1 and MMP-1 epidermal immunoreactivity, serum hydroxyproline, postoperative wound complications, and the study-specific modified Vancouver Scar Scale score at 3 and 6 months. Participants were recruited from 15 April to 1 October 2025. A total of 111 participants were randomized, 55 to the collagen-based formulation and 56 to placebo. Final follow-up was completed on 31 May 2026.