Ileal Interposition Surgery Did Not Prevent the Onset of Type 2 Diabetes in Rats

Abstract

Background: Bariatric surgeries are effective in resolving type-2 diabetes independent of body weight loss. We have used ileal interposition (IT) surgery, a special type of bariatric surgeries, to study the role of the lower intestine in metabolic improvement. The surgery effectively improved glucose tolerance after the rats were treated by low-dose streptozotocin (STZ). However, it is not known whether the surgery could have a similar effect if performed before STZ treatment. Methods: Fourteen male Long–Evans rats received either sham or IT surgery first and then were treated with STZ (35 mg/kg) eleven weeks after the surgeries. Body weight, food intake, body composition and glucose tolerance were measured before and after the surgery. Results: IT surgery improved glucose tolerance before STZ treatment. However, IT surgery did not delay the onset of diabetes as glucose tolerance was not improved four weeks after STZ treatment. No significant difference was found in either body weight or body composition during the experiment. Conclusion: IT surgery can improve glucose tolerance in euglycemic rats without STZ treatment, but IT surgery cannot prevent the onset of diabetes caused by low-dose streptozotocin (STZ).