Published in:
01-10-2013 | Original Contributions
Epithelial Cell Turnover Is Increased in the Excluded Stomach Mucosa After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity
Published in: Obesity Surgery | Issue 10/2013
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Background
Mucosal alterations after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity have not been clearly evaluated. This study aims to analyze the mucosal alterations (proliferative status (Ki-67); apoptosis (caspase-3 and BCL-2); hormonal function (gastrin)) in the excluded stomach.
Methods
Double-balloon enteroscopy was performed in 35 patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass longer than 36 months. Multiple biopsies of the proximal pouch and the excluded gastric mucosa were collected. Gastric biopsies from 32 non-operated obese patients were utilized as controls. Endoscopic biopsies were cut from tissue blocks fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. Sections 4 μm thick were examined for immunoexpression using the streptavidin–biotin–peroxidase method.
Results
The two groups were comparable for age, gender, gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and Helicobacter pylori. The mean number of positive gastrin cells was 55.5 (standard deviation (SD) = 11.7) in the control group and 29.6 (SD = 7.9) in the cases, p = 0.0003. Ki-67 proliferative index in cases (body = 24.7 %, antrum = 24.9 %) was significantly higher compared to controls (body = 15.0 % and antrum = 17.7 %), p = 0.002 and 0.01, respectively. Caspase-3 immunoexpression was higher in the controls compared to the excluded stomach (46 vs. 31 %), p = 0.02. There was no statistical difference between CD3, CD8, and Bcl-2 immunoexpressions in the control and cases.
Conclusions
Cell proliferation is increased and apoptosis is downregulated in the excluded gastric mucosa compared to the non-operated obese controls. Alterations in cell turnover and in hormonal secretions in these conditions may be of relevance in long-term follow-up.