Comparing the Effectiveness of Total Gastrectomy and Gastric Bypass on Glucose Metabolism in Diabetic Rats

Bariatric surgeries have been widely used in obesity associated type II diabetes. However, the mechanisms of surgical treatments for type II diabetes in non-obese patients remain controversial. Our study aims to compare the effectiveness of various bariatric surgeries in a non-obese diabetic rat model.

Goto-Kakisaki (GK) rats were used to compare the outcome of total gastrectomy (TG), Roux-en-Y reconstruction after total gastrectomy (RYTG), and Roux-En-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Body weight, food and water intake, and glucose level were monitored prior to and after surgery. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed, and key metabolic hormones were measured at selected time points.

Despite a significant reduction in body weight in TG and RYTG groups, their glucose metabolic rate was not improved. RYGB rats, with only moderate reduction in food intake and body weight, had significantly improved glucose metabolism. Insulin and ghrelin were significantly reduced in TG and RYTG groups, but remained unchanged in RYGB group.

Our study demonstrated the effectiveness of RYGB surgery in treating type II diabetes in non-obese diabetic rats. These results suggest an important role of gastric system in regulating glucose homeostasis.