Is a model useful in exploring the catabolic mechanisms of weight loss after gastric bypass in humans?

Purpose of review In the USA, approxiamately 3% of adults are morbidly obese, in whom behavior modification and drug therapy is ineffective in including major weight loss. Surgery is their only reliable option. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass accounts for 90% of all bariatric surgeries because it achieves the best weight loss results. Many studies describe weight loss and changes in metabolic blood parameters after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. We compare recent human data with the findings in our rats to validate the versatility of using a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass rat model to explore the multifactorial molecular and physiological dimentions of weight loss and weight regain. Recent findings Not only mechanical factors but also changes in gastrointestinal and adipose hormones and hypothalamic neuropeptides contribute to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass induced weight loss by promoting catabolic processes. Nevertheless, the exact mechanisms of weight loss remain unknow. Summary To investigate these catabolic mechanisms we used our Roux-en-Y gastric bypass rat model in diet induced obese rats. We found clear morphometric, physiological and biochemical parallelisms between humans and our rats. It is likely that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass induces similar changes in hy pothalamic neuropeptides whic can only be studied using the rat model. It therefore porodives a useful research tool for exploring and studying the development of adjuvant antiobesity therapies.