The objective of this study was to investigate the
mRNA expression of hepatic
phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) after
gastric bypass surgery (GBS) in rats with type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM). Thirty-six male Goto-Kakizaki rats, aged 12 weeks, were randomly divided into the GBS,
sham operation with diet restriction (SO), and
sham operation alone (control) groups (N = 12 per group). Liver specimens from all rats were obtained during the operation and 8 weeks after operation. Blood
lipid levels were measured before and 8 weeks after operation. Fasting
blood glucose (FBG), food intake, and
body weight were recorded at weekly time points after operation. The
blood glucose area under the curve (AUC) was calculated, and
insulin sensitivity indices (ISI) were assessed. The expression PEPCK
mRNA and
protein were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot. Compared with those of the SO and control groups, the blood
lipid levels and the FBG in the GBS group was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), as was the AUC (P < 0.05), whereas the ISI was significantly increased (P < 0.05). PEPCK
mRNA and
protein levels in the GBS group were lower than those in the control group, whereas those in the SO group were significantly higher than those in controls (P < 0.05). In conclusion, GBS can reduce
blood glucose in T2DM rats while improving
glucose tolerance and
hyperglycemia, and the mechanism appears to be associated with a decrease of hepatic PEPCK
mRNA and
protein expression.