Rat gastric banding model for bariatric surgery.

Background: Adjustable gastric banding is a surgical approach to weight reduction. In this study we created a gastric banding model in rats to better understand the mechanism of body weight loss.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 260 to 280 g were subjected to gastric banding (band group) (n=8) or to a sham operation (control group) (n=8). Body weights were monitored for 14 days, and daily food and water intake and nitrogen balance were monitored for 7 days.

Results: Two rats in the band group died of malnutrition due to gastric stomal stenosis and obstruction caused by the gastric banding. Body weight gain during the 14 days after the operation was less in the band group than in the control group (p<0.01). Food intake during the 7 days after the operation was significantly less in the band group than in the control group (p<0.01), and water intake during the 7 days after the operation was significantly less in the band group than in the control group (p<0.01). Cumulative nitrogen balance was significantly less in the band group than in the control group (p<0.01).

Conclusion: Gastric banding decreased the body weight gain of rats by decreasing the amount of food intake because of the creation of a small gastric pouch.