The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of gastrectomy, fundectomy, and antrectomy on bone properties and changes in the levels of ghrelin and nesfatin-1 in rats, as well as to reveal their potential influence on bone metabolism. 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 nesfatin-1 and ghrelin analysis in serum (RIA methods). The tBMC and tBMD of the whole skeleton, as well as the BMD and BMC of isolated femora, were measured by the DXA method. The femora were also examined by the pQCT method (area, mineral content, volumetric density of the trabecular and cortical parts of diaphysis and distal metaphysis) and by mechanical tests. Gx and ANT induced a decrease in BMD, ultimate force and work to failure of the femur, Tot.vBMD and Ct.Th of the femoral diaphysis, and Tot. BMC, Tot.vBMD, Tot.Ar, and Tb.BMC of femoral metaphysis. Fx lowered Tot.BMC, Tot.Ar, and Tb.BMC of metaphysis. The reduction in Tot.vBMD, Tot.Ar, and Tb.BMC of metaphysis after Gx was greater than after Fx. Moreover, the metaphyseal Tot.Ar and Tb.BMC of the Gx rats were lower than those in the ANT rats. The serum ghrelin concentration was reduced by antrectomy (by 57%), fundectomy (by 71%), and gastrectomy (by 76%). Conversely, the serum level of nesfatin-1 was increased in all the experimental groups (by 28%, 40%, and 65% in Fx, Gx, and ANT, respectively). In conclusion, our data indicate that the removal of different parts of the stomach caused negative changes in bone strength as well as in DXA and pQCT parameters. The Gx-evoked osteopenia and deterioration in bone parameters are more severe than after Fx and ANT. The bone response to gastric resection appeared to differ between cortical and cancellous bones. The changes observed in bone properties are probably a consequence of changes in the endocrine function of the stomach. They suggest that nesfatin-1 plays a yet unknown role in gastrectomy-, fundectomy-, and antrectomy-related bone loss, but further research is required to verify this hypothesis. |