Analysis of fatty acids concentration in the liver of rats with diet-induced obesity after bariatric surgery and a high-fat/high-sugar diet.

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is a leading risk factor for metabolic diseases, but the effects of bariatric surgery on hepatic fatty acid profiles remain poorly understood. This study investigated how duodenojejunal omega switch (DJOS) bariatric surgery and dietary patterns alter fatty acid composition in the liver of rats with diet-induced obesity.

METHODS

Fifty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a control or a high-fat/high-sugar diet, then assigned to DJOS or SHAM surgery, followed by maintenance or a switch in dietary regimen for eight weeks postoperatively. Liver fatty acids were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: DJOS surgery combined with a high-fat/high-sugar diet led to significantly higher concentrations of select long- and very-long-chain fatty acids (C14:0, C15:0, C22:0, C24:1, C24:0) versus SHAM, while dietary change post-surgery (CD/CF) reduced concentrations of C17:0, C18:0, C20:4n6, C20:5n3, C22:n6-3, and C24:0 in SHAM-operated rats. Additionally, lower levels of a total mixture of C18:1n9c, C18:2n6t, and C18:3n3 were observed when diet quality improved after SHAM surgery. The findings highlight complex interactions between surgical intervention and dietary composition in modulating hepatic fatty acid metabolism, emphasizing the importance of both approaches in obesity-related metabolic management.