Researchers tested a new surgical approach combining two procedures on obese rats to see if it could help them lose weight and improve their metabolism. The surgery reduced the rats’ appetite hormones, helped them eat less, and improved how their bodies handled blood sugar and fat. The combined surgery worked better than either procedure alone. While this is early research in animals, it suggests this approach might one day help people with obesity and related health problems manage their weight and prevent diseases like diabetes.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether combining two stomach surgeries (sleeve gastrectomy and fundoplication) could help obese rats lose weight, eat less, and improve their metabolism better than surgery alone
- Who participated: 65 laboratory rats, including 48 that were made obese by eating high-fat food for 8 weeks, then divided into different surgery groups
- Key finding: Rats that received the combined surgery lost about 25% of their body weight, ate 28% less food, had 38% lower blood sugar levels, and had 51% less of the hunger hormone ghrelin compared to obese rats that didn’t have surgery
- What it means for you: This research suggests a new surgical approach might be more effective than current weight-loss surgeries, but this is early-stage animal research and much more testing is needed before it could be used in people
The Research Details
Scientists started with 65 healthy laboratory rats and fed 48 of them a high-fat diet for 8 weeks to make them obese. They then divided these obese rats into four groups: one group received no surgery (control), one had a fake surgery (sham), one had sleeve gastrectomy (a surgery that makes the stomach smaller), and one had the combined surgery of sleeve gastrectomy plus fundoplication (which also modifies the upper part of the stomach). The researchers measured body weight, food intake, blood sugar, fat levels, and hunger hormones before and after the surgeries. They also examined the rats’ tissues under a microscope and used special lab techniques to measure changes in genes and proteins related to metabolism.
This research approach is important because it allows scientists to carefully control all the conditions and measure exactly what happens inside the body after surgery. By comparing different surgical approaches in the same type of animal under identical conditions, researchers can determine which approach works best and understand the biological mechanisms behind the improvements. This type of controlled study provides the foundation for deciding whether to test new surgical techniques in humans.
This study has several strengths: it used a reasonable number of animals (65), included proper control groups for comparison, measured multiple important health markers, and examined both the whole-body effects and the molecular changes in tissues. However, because this is animal research, the results may not directly apply to humans. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other experts reviewed it before publication. The specific journal impact factor was not provided, but the journal focuses on diabetes and metabolism research.
What the Results Show
The combined surgery (sleeve gastrectomy with fundoplication) produced impressive results in the obese rats. Body weight decreased by about 25%, which was significantly more than the regular sleeve gastrectomy alone. The rats ate 28% less food after the combined surgery, suggesting the procedure reduced their appetite. Fasting blood sugar dropped by 38%, which is important because high blood sugar is a sign of diabetes. Triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood) fell by 43%, indicating improved fat metabolism. Most notably, the hunger hormone ghrelin decreased by 51%, suggesting the surgery made the rats feel less hungry. These improvements were all statistically significant, meaning they were unlikely to have happened by chance.
Beyond the main results, the researchers found that the combined surgery improved how well insulin worked in the rats’ bodies, which is crucial for controlling blood sugar. The surgery enhanced the function of cells that produce insulin (beta cells). The rats’ livers became better at breaking down fat, and their brown fat (a special type of fat that burns calories to produce heat) became more active. At the molecular level, the surgery activated important metabolic pathways in multiple organs, suggesting widespread improvements in how the body processes energy. The combined surgery outperformed regular sleeve gastrectomy alone in most of these measurements.
Sleeve gastrectomy is already used in people for weight loss, but this research suggests adding fundoplication to the procedure might make it work better. Previous research has shown that appetite hormones like ghrelin play a big role in hunger and weight gain. This study is among the first to show that combining two surgical approaches might be more effective than either one alone at controlling these hunger hormones and improving overall metabolism. The findings build on earlier work showing that surgery can improve insulin sensitivity and fat metabolism in obese individuals.
This study was conducted only in laboratory rats, not in humans, so the results may not translate directly to people. The rats were a specific breed (Sprague-Dawley) and may not represent all populations. The study lasted a limited time, so we don’t know if the benefits would continue long-term. The researchers didn’t measure all possible side effects or complications that might occur with this surgery. Additionally, this is a single study, so the findings need to be confirmed by other research groups before drawing firm conclusions.
The Bottom Line
Based on this animal research, the combined surgical approach shows promise for improving weight loss and metabolic health. However, this is preliminary evidence, and much more research is needed. Current recommendations for people with obesity remain lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) as the first approach, with surgery considered only for severe obesity when other methods haven’t worked. Anyone considering weight-loss surgery should discuss all options, including potential new approaches, with their doctor. This research suggests future surgical options might be more effective, but they’re not yet available for human use.
This research is most relevant to people with severe obesity and related health problems like type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome. It’s also important for surgeons and doctors who treat obesity. Researchers studying weight loss and metabolism should pay attention to these findings. People considering weight-loss surgery should be aware that new, potentially better options may be developed in the future. This research is less immediately relevant to people with mild overweight or those without metabolic problems.
In the rats, the benefits appeared within the study period (timing not fully specified in the abstract). If this approach is eventually tested in humans, it would likely take many years of research before it becomes available. People considering current weight-loss surgery options should not wait for this new approach, as it’s still in early research stages. If approved for human use in the future, benefits would likely appear over weeks to months, similar to current weight-loss surgeries.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track weekly body weight, daily food intake (portions and meals), and fasting blood sugar levels if you have diabetes or prediabetes. Also monitor hunger levels on a scale of 1-10 before meals to see patterns in appetite changes.
- While this surgery isn’t yet available for humans, users can start tracking their current appetite patterns, meal sizes, and blood sugar levels. This baseline data would be valuable if they ever discuss new surgical options with their doctor. Users can also work on the lifestyle changes (healthy eating and exercise) that are currently recommended for weight management.
- Establish a long-term tracking system that measures weight weekly, food intake daily, and blood sugar levels regularly (if applicable). Create a dashboard showing trends over months and years. Set realistic goals based on current evidence for weight-loss interventions. If new surgical options become available, this historical data would help doctors and patients make informed decisions about whether surgery is appropriate.
This research was conducted in laboratory rats and has not been tested in humans. The surgical technique described is not currently available for human use. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used to make medical decisions. Anyone considering weight-loss surgery should consult with their doctor about currently approved options and discuss the potential for future advances. This study does not constitute medical advice, and individual results may vary. Always work with qualified healthcare providers before making changes to your health care plan.