Serum Gastrin and Blood Glucose Levels in Gastroplasty for Morbid Obesity

Abstract

Fasting and meal-stimulated serum gastrin and glucose levels were measured in 11 patients before and 3 months after gastroplasty for morbid obesity. Overall blood glucose levels were significantly reduced after surgery (P < 0.05), whereas the response to a meal was not influenced to any significant degree (P > 0.10). The fasting serum gastrin level was not significantly influenced by gastroplasty (P > 0.10). Postprandial serum gastrin increased significantly independent of gastroplasty (P < 0.001). The presence of a marginally significant (0.10 > P > 0.05) interaction between postprandial gastrin levels and operation raises the possibility that gastroplasty additionally increases the postprandial serum gastrin level.

Key words:

• Gastrin
• gastroplasty
• morbid obesity