Diabetes & Metabolism Journal

Original Articles

Basic and Translational Research
Sleeve Gastrectomy with Fundoplication Enhances Metabolic Health in Obese Rats via Ghrelin Pathway Modulation and Multi-Organ Regulation: Xin Li, Aikebaier Aili, Yusujiang Tusuntuoheti, Yusunjiang Aierken, Kelimu Abudureyimu, Weihui Liu; Received May 4, 2025 Accepted November 23, 2025 Published online January 15, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2025.0392 [Epub ahead of print]

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub: Background
Obesity serves as a predominant factor in the progression of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus. While sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a well-established surgical intervention, its impact on appetite-regulating hormones, such as ghrelin (GHRL), is limited. Sleeve gastrectomy combined with fundoplication (SGFD) has emerged as a potential strategy to improve metabolic outcomes by modifying both gastric anatomy and gut-brain signaling.
Methods
Sixty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were enrolled. After 8 weeks of high-fat feeding, 48 rats developed diet-induced obesity (DIO). These rats were randomized into four experimental groups: DIO control, sham-operated, SG, and SGFD, alongside a normal control cohort. Biochemical indicators, hormonal fluctuations, and insulin responsiveness were analyzed. Molecular expressions were evaluated through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting.
Results
SGFD reduced body weight (−24.7%), food intake (−28.3%), fasting glucose (−37.5%), triglycerides (−42.6%), and serum GHRL (−51.2%) compared with the DIO group (P<0.01). Gastric GHRL, preproghrelin, and ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT) expression were suppressed. Hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) was downregulated, and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling was robustly enhanced across various tissues. SGFD also improved insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4), β-cell function, hepatic lipid oxidation, and brown adipose thermogenesis. SGFD outperformed SG in most metabolic and molecular outcomes (P<0.05).
Conclusion
SGFD provides superior metabolic benefits over SG alone by suppressing GHRL signaling and activating systemic AMPK pathways. SGFD represents a promising surgical strategy for obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Pharmacotherapy
Glycemic Improvement with Low-Dose Dulaglutide Is Associated with Leptin and Obestatin Modulation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Inha Jung, Hangseok Choi, In Young Choi, Hyun Joo Cho, So Young Park, Da Young Lee, Ji A Seo, Nan Hee Kim, Ji Hee Yu; Diabetes Metab J. 2026;50(3):565-575. Published online November 24, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2025.0681

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub: Background
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) improve glycemic control through insulinotropic and anorectic effects. However, the role of adipokines and appetite-related hormones in mediating the glycemic response remains unclear. This study evaluated changes in abdominal fat, food cravings, and circulating adipokines and gut hormones following dulaglutide treatment and identified predictors of glycemic improvement in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Methods
In this 24-week prospective observational study, 82 patients with T2DM and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels ≥7.0% despite standard therapy received dulaglutide 0.75 mg once weekly. Abdominal computed tomography, the General Food Cravings Questionnaire-Trait, and fasting levels of leptin, adiponectin, obestatin, ghrelin, and resistin were assessed at baseline and week 24. Glycemic responders were defined as those with an HbA1c reduction ≥0.5% and/or HbA1c <7.0% at 24 weeks. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with glycemic improvement.
Results
Among the 67 patients who completed the study, dulaglutide significantly reduced HbA1c, food cravings, leptin, and adiponectin levels. Obestatin levels increased modestly. Responders showed greater improvement in β-cell function and more pronounced reductions in food cravings. In the adjusted models, a decrease in leptin and an increase in obestatin were independently associated with HbA1c reduction, while decreased adiponectin was associated with poorer glycemic outcomes. Changes in body mass index or abdominal fat were not associated with glycemic improvement.
Conclusion
Dulaglutide improved glycemic control through mechanisms beyond weight reduction. Hormonal changes in leptin, adiponectin, and obestatin may help predict responses to GLP-1 RAs therapy.

Expression of ghrelin and its receptor according to feeding state in rats.: Min Seon Kim, Cho Ya Yoon, Young Joo Park, Hyung Kyu Park, Chen Ji Jin, Kyong Han Park, Chan Soo Shin, Kyong Soo Park, Seong Youn Kim, Bo Youn Cho, Hong Kyu Lee; Korean Diabetes J. 2002;26(3):169-178. Published online June 1, 2002

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Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Ghrelin is a newly discovered gut peptide, produced mainly in the stomach, which is secreted into the circulating blood and acts on the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. Although ghrelin was originally identified as an endogenous growth hormone secretagogue, recent studies have suggested its role is in the regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the expression of ghrelin in the stomach, and of its receptors in the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland in relation to the feeding state. METHODS: Sprague Dawley male rats, divided into 3 groups, freely fed, fasted for 48 hrs and fasted for 48 hrs followed by feeding for 24 hrs, were investigated. The stomach fundus, the hypothalamus and the pituitary glands were collected. The gastric ghrelin mRNA expression was determined by Northern blot analysis and the ghrelin protein by immunohistochemistry. The ghrelin receptor mRNA levels in the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland were determined by real time PCR. RESULTS: The ghrelin mRNA levels in the stomach were increased by fasting but reduced again by allowing feeding. The number of ghrelin-immunoreactive gastric epithelial cells tended to increase with fasting. Moreover, the ghrelin receptor mRNA levels increased fold in the hypothalamus, and about 3 fold in the anterior pituitary gland harvested from the rats that had fasted for 48 hrs compared to those that were freely fed. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that expression of both ghrelin in stomach and its receptor in target organs increased in the fasted state, which would be helpful for magnifying the orexigenic effect of ghrelin in the negative energy balance state. Dynamic changes in ghrelin and ghrelin receptor according to altered metabolic state may suggest a physiologic role of ghrelin in the regulation of energy homeostasis.

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