Normalization of WISP1 circulating level and tissue expression following metabolic and bariatric surgery using rat...

Wingless-type inducible signaling pathway protein-1 (WISP1) is a newly recognized adipokine, associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). This study aimed to investigate the effect of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) on WISP1 circulating (serum) levels and tissue expression using rat models. We initially investigated whether WISP1 circulating levels were altered between the T2DM and normal rats. After confirmation, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were obtained and randomly divided as follows: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) group (n = 10), sleeve gastrectomy (SG) group (n = 10), SHAM group (n = 10), and normal control (NC) group (n = 10). Rats were followed for 8 weeks postoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative WISP1 circulating (serum) levels, glucose tolerance test (OGTT), insulin tolerance test (ITT), postoperative WISP1 expression (visceral adipose tissue, VAT; and skeletal muscle, SM), body weight, food intake, and fasting blood glucose levels were recorded. MBS significantly induced glucose control and weight loss. At postoperative week 8, WISP1 serum levels decreased in the MBS groups (P < 0.05); furthermore, WISP1 expression in VAT and SM significantly decreased in the RYGB and SG groups than SHAM (P < 0.05, and P < 0.05, respectively). Whereas the difference in the expression level between SG and RYGB did not amount to statistical significance (P > 0.05). MBS significantly decreased WISP1 serum levels, tissue expression in the VAT, and SM. As WISP1 is a regulator of low-grade inflammation associated with obesity and T2DM, further studies are needed to explore its relevance in MBS.