Abstract:
Total gastrectomy often results in early satiety and loss of body weight. Serotonin inhibits food intake, and postprandial serotonin release is increased after total gastrectomy. Serotonin might contribute to early satiety and loss of body weight after total gastrectomy.
Methods and materials. Food intake and body weight were investigated with an automated recording system in gastrectomized rats 1–24 months postoperatively. Rats were treated with different concentrations of metergoline, a 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1/2 receptor antagonist or vehicle. In addition, metergoline or vehicle was applied continuously by an intraperitoneal osmotic minipump for 7, 28, or 84 days after total gastrectomy.
Results. Metergoline treatment resulted in a dose-dependent increase in food intake in gastrectomized rats. One hour after intraperitoneal injection of 1.0mg/body weight the food intake was 207% higher compared to vehicle treatment (p=0.003). Higher concentrations had no effect on food intake. Chronic metergoline treatment for 7, 28, or 84 days significantly increased food intake after total gastrectomy compared to vehicle treatment. Chronic treatment for 84 days resulted in a significant body weight gain of 92% compared to vehicle treatment (p=0.039).
Conclusions. Inhibition of food intake by serotonin might contribute to early satiety and loss of body weight after total gastrectomy. More selective serotonin receptor antagonists, differentiating between 5-HT1 and 5-HT2-receptor subtypes and between central and peripheral 5-HT receptors, should be investigated to further establish the role of serotonin receptors in the regulation of food intake and body weight after total gastrectomy.