The Leading Role of Peptide Tyrosine Tyrosine in Glycemic Control After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in Rats

Abstract

Aims: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is one of the most effective surgical therapies for the rapid resolution of type 2 diabetes. However, the mechanisms underlying the entero-hormonal response after surgery and the role of peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY) in the restoration of normoglycemia are still not clear. Methods: We reproduced the RYGB technique in Wistar and Goto–Kakizaki rats and performed serum hormonal, histological, and hormonal-infusion test. Results: Using the diabetic Goto–Kakizaki (GK) rat model, we demonstrated that PYY plasma levels showed a remarkable peak approximately 30 min earlier than GLP-1 or GIP after mixed-meal administration in RYGB-operated rats with PYY. The GLP-1 and GIP areas under the curve (AUCs) increased after RYGB in GK rats. Additionally, the findings suggested that PYY (3-36) infusion led to increased GLP-1 and GIP plasma levels close to those obtained after a meal. Finally, the number of GLP-1-positive cells appeared to increase in the three segments of the small intestine in GK-RYGB-operated rats beyond the early presence of nutrient stimulation in the ileum. Nevertheless, PYY-positive cell numbers appeared to increase only in the ileum. Conclusion: At least in rats, these data demonstrate an earlier essential role for PYY in gut hormone regulation after RYGB. We understand that PYY contributes to GLP-1 and GIP release and there must be the existence of enteroendocrine communication routes between the distal and proximal small intestine.