PROXIMAL GASTRIC-VAGOTOMY - EFFECTS OF 2 SURGICAL MODIFICATIONS ON ORAL AND INTRAVENOUS GLUCOSE-TOLERANCE IN THE CONSCIOUS RAT

Vago-vagal nervous links between different splanchnic organs, the stom ach included, may modulate glucose metabolism. Therefore, the effect o f highly selective (HSV, cutting nerve fibers and vessels) and superse lective vagotomy (SSV, cubing nerve fibers only) on oral and intraveno us (IV) glucose tolerance was studied in the rat. Gastric emptying was normal in HSV and SSV. After oral glucose, cumulative blood glucose a nd insulin were significantly lower in SSV than in controls, whereas i n HSV, both parameters tended towards lower values. After IV glucose, cumulative blood glucose was significantly lower than in controls foll owing both vagotomies, whereas cumulative insulin was lower in HSV and significantly higher in SSV. The former effect may be insulin-indepen dent The latter reflects enhanced insulin sensitivity in HSV and incre ased glucose-stimulated insulin release in SSV. The improvement of ora l and IV glucose tolerance by both procedures may reflect the abolitio n of physiological vagal (SSV) or partial abolition of sympathetic (HS V) nervous links between the stomach and the pancreas, which modulate insulin secretion or organ sensitivity to insulin.