Is a model useful in exploring the catabolic mechanisms of weight loss after gastric bypass in humans?
OBJECTIVE
In the USA, approximately 3% of adults are morbidly obese, in whom behavior modification and drug therapy is ineffective in inducing major weight loss. Surgery is their only reliable option. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass accounts for 90% of all bariatric surgeries because it achieves the best weight loss results. Many studies describe weight loss and changes in metabolic blood parameters after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. We compare recent human data with the findings in our rats to validate the versatility of using a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass rat model to explore the multifactorial molecular and physiological dimensions of weight loss and weight regain.


RESULTS
Not only mechanical factors but also changes in gastrointestinal and adipose hormones and hypothalamic neuropeptides contribute to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass induced weight loss by promoting catabolic processes. Nevertheless, the exact mechanisms of weight loss remain unknown.


CONCLUSIONS
To investigate these catabolic mechanisms we used our Roux-en-Y gastric bypass rat model in diet induced obese rats. We found clear morphometric, physiological and biochemical parallelisms between humans and our rats. It is likely that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass induces similar changes in hypothalamic neuropeptides which can only be studied using the rat model. It therefore provides a useful research tool for exploring and studying the development of adjuvant antiobesity therapies.
Kirchner
Henriette
H
Surgical Metabolism and Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Neuroscience and Physiology Program, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York 13210, USA.
Guijarro
Ana
A
Meguid
Michael M
MM
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery*; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology
D036361:Peptide Hormones