Insulin resistance, microbiota and fat distribution changes by a new model of vertical sleeve gastrectomy in obese rats

Bariatric surgery is known to improve metabolic health, reducing insulin resistance and modulating the gut microbiota upon weight loss. We performed a novel vertical sleeve gastroectomy (GG) procedure in obese rats on a high fat diet enabling us to dissect diabetes from body weight. Together with improved insulin sensitivity, modified gut hormones, blood lipid profiles and a redistribution of fat storage in animals post GG compared to a sham operated (SO) group of obese rats, we observed significant differences within both the diversity and architecture of the intestinal microbiome. The GG animals had higher alpha and beta diversity compared to the SO group, and significant differences in relative abundance of different gut bacteria at the Class and Genus level, many previously linked to metabolic health both in rodent models and in humans