Meal stimulated levels of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in gastroplasty for morbid obesity

Plasma concentrations of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) were measured after a meal consisting of 11 ml meat extract and 40 ml of 20% soya oil in 11 patients before and 3 months after gastroplasty for morbid obesity. Gastroplasty results in a small proximal pouch with a narrow stoma allowing delayed emptying into the distal pouch, and consequently postprandial distension of the proximal pouch. Postprandial plasma PP increased significantly (P less than 0.01) independent of gastroplasty. PP is therefore not involved in the early satiety after gastroplasty. Postprandial plasma VIP increased significantly from fasting levels both before and after gastroplasty (P less than 0.05). Only 10 min after a meal, the median value of VIP was significantly higher after than before gastroplasty (P less than 0.02) and may be caused by distension of the proximal pouch.