A Potential Role for Endogenous Glucagon in Preventing Post-Bariatric Hypoglycemia

oleh: Carolina B. Lobato, Carolina B. Lobato, Sofia S. Pereira, Sofia S. Pereira, Sofia S. Pereira, Sofia S. Pereira, Marta Guimarães, Marta Guimarães, Marta Guimarães, Bolette Hartmann, Bolette Hartmann, Nicolai J. Wewer Albrechtsen, Nicolai J. Wewer Albrechtsen, Nicolai J. Wewer Albrechtsen, Linda Hilsted, Jens J. Holst, Jens J. Holst, Mário Nora, Mário Nora, Mariana P. Monteiro, Mariana P. Monteiro

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: Frontiers Media S.A. 2020-11-01

Deskripsi

Obesity and obesity-related diseases are major public health concerns that have been exponentially growing in the last decades. Bariatric surgery is an effective long-term treatment to achieve weight loss and obesity comorbidity remission. Post-bariatric hypoglycemia (PBH) is a late complication of bariatric surgery most commonly reported after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). PBH is the end result of postprandial hyperinsulinemia but additional endocrine mechanisms involved are still under debate. Our aim was to characterize entero-pancreatic hormone dynamics associated with postprandial hypoglycemia after RYGB. Individuals previously submitted to RYGB (N=23) in a single tertiary hospital presenting PBH symptoms (Sym, n=14) and asymptomatic weight-matched controls (Asy, n=9) were enrolled. Participants underwent a mixed-meal tolerance test (MMTT) to assess glucose, total amino acids (total AA), insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and neurotensin (NT). We found that hypoglycemia during the MMTT was equally frequent in Sym and Asy groups (p=1.000). Re-grouped according to glucose nadir during the MMTT (Hypo n=11 vs NoHypo n=12; nadir <3.05 mmol/l vs ≥3.05 mmol/l), subjects presented no differences in anthropometric (BMI: p=0.527) or metabolic features (HbA1c: p=0.358), yet distinct meal-elicited hormone dynamics were identified. Postprandial glucose excursion and peak glucose levels were similar (p>0.05), despite distinct late glycemic outcomes (t=60 min and t=90 min: p<0.01), with overall greater glycemic variability in Hypo group (minimum-to-maximum glucose ratio: p<0.001). Hypo group meal-triggered hormone profile was characterized by lower early glucagon (t=15 min: p<0.01) and higher insulin (t=30 min: p<0.05, t=45 min: p<0.001), C-peptide (t=30 min: p<0.01, t=45 min: p<0.001, t=60 min: p<0.05), and GLP-1 (t=45 min: p<0.05) levels. Hyperinsulinemia was an independent risk factor for hypoglycemia (p<0.05). After adjusting for hyperinsulinemia, early glucagon correlated with glycemic nadir (p<0.01), and prevented postprandial hypoglycemia (p<0.05). A higher insulin to glucagon balance in Hypo was observed (p<0.05). No differences were observed in total AA, GIP or NT excursions (p>0.05). In sum, after RYGB, postprandial hyperinsulinemia is key in triggering PBH, but a parallel and earlier rise in endogenous glucagon might sustain the inter-individual variability in glycemic outcome beyond the effect of hyperinsulinism, advocating a potential pivotal role for glucagon in preventing hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.