Effect of Two Types of Bariatric Surgery (Gastrojejunal Bypass and Sleeve Gastroplasty) on Gene Expression of Bone Remodeling Markers in Goto-Kakizaki Rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate gene expression of bone remodeling markers in type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) nonobese rats after gastrojejunal bypass and sleeve gastroplasty and their relationship with hormonal parameters.

We designed an experimental study in three groups of GK rats (nonoperated gastrojejunal bypass and sleeve gastroplasty). Gene expression of markers of bone remodeling and levels of insulin, leptin, and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) were determined.

GK rats had decreased levels of osteocalcin expression compared with Wistar rats. Gene expression of markers of bone remodeling in GK rats was similar in the three groups studied, although there was a trend to decreased receptor activator for nuclear factor κ B ligand (RANKL) in gastroplasty rats. Significant differences in the osteocalcin/RANKL ratio were observed between controls and gastrojejunal bypass rats compared with gastroplasty rats. The behavior of gastrointestinal hormones was antagonistic (GLP-1 gastrojejunal bypass 1.54 ± 0.24 ng/ml vs. GLP-1 gastroplasty 0.673 ± 0.09, p = 0.0001; leptin gastrojejunal bypass 1,178 ± 0.474 pg/ml vs. leptin gastroplasty 7,391 ± 4,054 pg/ml, p = 0.002). There was a reduction in leptin in the bypass group associated with an increase in gastrectomized rats. In gastrectomized rats, there was a trend toward an inverse relationship between leptin and RANKL (r = −0.771, p = 0.072). This relationship was more marked in the totality of operated rats, n = 12 (r = −0.608, p = 0.036).

Our results show a more favorable profile of sleeve gastroplasty on bone remodeling. There was a trend to an increase in the expression of the osteocalcin gene, which is probably mediated by increased expression of leptin that inhibits the expression of RANKL.