Effect of fundectomy, antrectomy and gastrectomy on pancreatic and brush border enzyme activity in rats

The aim of our study was to investigate the possible effects of the removal of different parts of the stomach (fundectomy, antrectomy, gastrectomy) on the total protein content and enzyme activity in the pancreas and the brush border of the intestinal mucosa. Twenty-four 2.5-month-old male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: sham-operated animals (SHO) and those subjected to gastrectomy (Gx), fundectomy (Fx), and antrectomy (ANT). After a six-week experiment, the rats were sacrificed, and blood was collected for further gastrin analysis in serum. Samples of the pancreas, duodenum, and jejunum (proximal part in 25% of length, middle part in 50% of length, and distal part in 75% of length) were collected to determine the total protein content and enzyme activity. The rats subjected to fundectomy, antrectomy and gastrectomy showed an increased total protein content and enzyme activity (amylase, trypsin) in pancreatic tissue. They exhibited an increase in the total protein content in the homogenates of the mucosa of the proximal, middle and distal jejunum, compared to the control, and a statistical increase in maltase activity. Compared with the control group, the rats subjected to Fx and ANT showed a decreased sucrase activity in the homogenates of the mucosa of the duodenum and of the proximal, middle and distal jejunum. In the gastrectomized rats, there was a statistically significant increase in the total protein content in the homogenates of the mucosa of the jejunum, compared to the control, while the activities of lactase and sucrase were decreased. There was a statistically significant increase in the gastrin level in all experimental groups (Fx, ANT, Gx). We suggest that surgical removal of a part of the stomach radically changes the level of hormones that determine many functions of the organism. Hormonal changes may have an impact on the pancreas and the activity of brush border enzymes.