Total gastrectomy-induced reductions in food intake and weight are counteracted by rikkunshito by attenuating glucagon-like peptide-1 elevation in rats
Abstract
Decrease in appetite and weight after total gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer leads to a decrease in quality of life, increased mortality, and may necessitate discontinuation of adjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of this study is to determine whether rikkunshito, a Japanese herbal medicine, increases food intake and weight after gastrectomy in rats. Male rats underwent gastrectomy followed by roux-en-Y reconstruction or sham operation and were then treated with rikkunshito for 14 days starting on postoperative day 3. Daily food intake, weight, plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and ghrelin levels were measured. A pilot study to measure pre- and postoperative plasma GLP-1 levels was conducted in patients who underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Administration of rikkunshito after gastrectomy in rats significantly increased food intake and weight, which continued for at least 2 weeks after treatment. Both fasting and postprandial plasma GLP-1 levels were increased markedly after gastrectomy compared with sham-operated animals. Increased GLP-1 levels in rats after gastrectomy were suppressed markedly by rikkunshito. rikkunshito had no significant effect on plasma ghrelin levels after gastrectomy. Treatment wi...Continue Reading
References
Citations
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric condition characterized by severe weight loss and secondary problems associated with malnutrition. Here is the latest research on AN.
Cardiovascular Biology of GLP-1
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) plays a role in glucose metabolism, energy homeostasis, and inflammation suppression. GLP-1 receptor signaling has been shown to impact cardiovascular function. This feed focuses on the role of GLP-1 and GLP-1 receptor agonists on cardiovascular biology.