SMALL INTESTINAL L CELL DENSITY IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE OBESITY AFTER ROUX-EN-Y GASTRIC BYPASS

Enteroendocrine L cells can be found in the entire gastrointestinal tract and their incretins act on glycemic control and metabolic homeostasis. Patients with severe obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus may have lower density of L cells in the proximal intestine.

This study aimed to analyze the density of L cells in the segments of the small intestine in the late postoperative of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in diabetic patients with standardization of 60 cm in both loops, alimentary and biliopancreatic.

Immunohistochemistry analysis assays were made from intestinal biopsies in three segments: gastrointestinal anastomosis (GIA= Point A), enteroenteral anastomosis (EEA= Point B= 60 cm distal to the GIA) and 60 cm distal to the enteroenteral anastomosis (Point C).

A higher density of L cells immunostaining the glucagon-1 peptide was observed in the distal portion (Point C) when compared to the more proximal portions (Points A and B).

The concentration of L cells is higher 60 cm distal to enteroenteral anastomosis when comparing to proximal segments and may explain the difference in intestinal lumen sensitization and enterohormonal response after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.