Hypoabsorptive surgeries cause limb-dependent changes in the gut endocannabinoidome and microbiome in association with beneficial metabolic effects.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the metabolic benefits of hypoabsorptive surgeries are associated with changes in the gut endocannabinoidome (eCBome) and microbiome.

METHODS

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) and single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) were performed in diet-induced obese (DIO) male Wistar rats. Control groups fed a high-fat diet (HF) included sham-operated (SHAM HF) and SHAM HF-pair-weighed to BPD-DS (SHAM HF-PW). Body weight, fat mass gain, fecal energy loss, HOMA-IR, and gut-secreted hormone levels were measured. The levels of eCBome lipid mediators and prostaglandins were quantified in different intestinal segments by LC-MS/MS, while expression levels of genes encoding eCBome metabolic enzymes and receptors were determined by RT-qPCR. Metataxonomic (16S rRNA) analysis was performed on residual distal jejunum, proximal jejunum, and ileum contents.

RESULTS

BPD-DS and SADI-S reduced fat gain and HOMA-IR, while increasing glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY) levels in HF-fed rats. Both surgeries induced potent limb-dependent alterations in eCBome mediators and in gut microbial ecology. In response to BPD-DS and SADI-S, changes in gut microbiota were significantly correlated with those of eCBome mediators. Principal component analyses revealed connections between PYY, N-oleoylethanolamine (OEA), N-linoleoylethanolamine (LEA), Clostridium, and Enterobacteriaceae_g_2 in the proximal and distal jejunum and in the ileum.

CONCLUSIONS

BPD-DS and SADI-S caused limb-dependent changes in the gut eCBome and microbiome. The present results indicate that these variables could significantly influence the beneficial metabolic outcome of hypoabsorptive bariatric surgeries.