Additional Effect of Visceral Fat Resection in an Obese Rat Model of Gastric Banding

Background  There is accumulating agreement that bariatric surgery is currently the most efficacious and enduring treatment for clinically severe obesity, and as a result, the number of bariatric surgeries performed worldwide has increased in recent years. Although the function of visceral fat has gradually become clear, the effect of visceral fat resection is still unknown. The aim of this study was to clarify the additional effect of visceral fat resection in an obese rat model of gastric banding. Methods  Forty male Zucker fatty rats were divided into four groups: the control group, visceral fat resection group, gastric banding group, and gastric banding with visceral fat resection group. They were followed for 8 weeks after surgery, and their body weight change, cumulative food intake, metabolic parameters, and adipocytokines were measured. Results  The gastric banding rats either with or without visceral fat resection showed significant decreases in weight gain, cumulative food intake, and levels of metabolic parameters compared to the control rats. There were no significant differences in weight gain and cumulative food intake between gastric banding with and without visceral fat resection. However, gastric banding with visceral fat resection resulted in lower plasma levels of free fatty acid and TNF-alpha compared to gastric banding alone, and expression of adiponectin mRNA in the adipose tissue was significantly decreased with the addition of visceral fat resection compared with banding alone. There were no significant differences in any parameters between controls and rats receiving visceral fat resection alone. Conclusion  Visceral fat resection may improve adipocytokines and free fatty acid in an obese rat model of gastric banding. However, further studies are necessary before the procedure can be considered an option on bariatric surgery.