To investigate weight, ghrelin changes following transcatheter left gastric artery embolization in rabbit model of obesity, and evaluate its safety.

Thirty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups, ten New Zealand rabbits in each group, group A: left gastric artery embolization using gelatin sponge, group B: left gastric artery and gastroduodenal artery embolization using gelatin sponge, group C (control group): left gastric artery and gastroduodenal artery perfusion using normal saline. Ghrelin, weight and liver and kidney function were measured at preoperative and postoperative 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks. T test was used to compare the differences in the levels of preoperative and postoperative average ghrelin, weight, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), creatinine and urea in each group. The ANOVA of repeated measurement was used to compare the difference of preoperative and postoperative each time points between the three groups.

The preoperative and postoperative ghrelin levels in group A were (4 057±61)and (3 708±141) pg/ml with statistically significant differences (t=4.5, P<0.05). The preoperative and postoperative ghrelin levels in group B were (4 137±89) and (3 608±239) pg/ml with statistically significant differences (t=6.8, P<0.05). The preoperative and postoperative ghrelin levels in the control group were (3 986±82)and (4 044±72) pg/ml with no statistically significant differences (t=0.7, P>0.05). The level of ghrelin in group B decreased significantly compared with group A and the difference was statistically significant (t=3.8, P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in postoperative ghrelin levels between the three groups (F=15.6, P<0.05). The preoperative and postoperative weight in group A were (6.12±0.38)and (5.66±0.39) kg with statistically significant differences (t=2.7, P<0.05). The preoperative and postoperative weight in group B were (5.99±0.57)and (5.24±0.61) kg with statistically significant differences (t=3.1, P<0.05). The preoperative and postoperative weight in the control group were (5.94±0.45)and (6.24±0.42) kg with no statistically significant differences (t=1.2, P>0.05). The weight loss of group B was significantly greater than that of group A and the difference was statistically significant (t=5.2, P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in postoperative weight between the three groups (F=5.1, P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in ALT, AST, creatinine and urea levels at preoperative and postoperative each time points in each group (P>0.05).

Left gastric artery embolization can become a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for obesity and left gastric artery and gastroduodenal artery embolization at the same time could achieve more weight loss.

Embolization, therapeutic; Bariatric surgery; Gastrins